Staphylococcal infections among newborn babies in two towns in north Norway

1137 newborn infants in the towns of Harstad and Tromsø were examined for Staphylococcus aureus. The children were followed for two months after birth, and 10% showed signs of infection. The first symptom occurred on the average on the ninth day of life, while the average stay in the maternity ward was six days. 85% of those being regarded on clinical grounds as infected with S aureus showed growth of this bacterium on cultivation of the specimens taken. Over 80% of the strains were resistant to penicillin G/V and approximately 11% resistant to fucidic acid. Resistance to other antibiotics was not found to present any problem. A survey of staphylococcal infections among the newborn should include both the stay in the maternity ward and the first week at home.