Necrotizing enterocolitis and hemolysis associated with Clostridium perfringens

Two newborns had necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and severe hemolytic anemia. Clostridium perfringens was identified in the peritoneal fluid of both infants, supporting the previous association of C perfringens with hemolysis reported in adult patients. Infants with NEC and hemolytic anemia should be aggressively treated with surgical debridement and high-dose parenteral penicillin G potassium. Similarly, Gram's stain of peritoneal fluid and resected bowel at laparotomy for NEC may be useful for early identification of the primary organism.