General
Neonatal cellulitis (seen in infants younger than age 3 months) is an uncommon inflammatory bacterial infection of deep dermis and subcutaneous tissues often caused by group B Streptococcus (GBS).
In cellulitis, bacteria invade through small cracks, fissures, or breaks in the skin. The clinical manifestations include rapidly progressive areas of skin edema, erythema, heat, and pain with or without associated lymphangitis or adenopathy. In this age group, risk factors for GBS should be considered, which include maternal GBS colonization, mode of delivery, episiotomy, prematurity, hospitalization, and prior antibiotic treatment.
It is unlikely for infants aged younger than 60 days who have skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) to develop sequela such as bacterial meningitis, osteomyelitis, or urinary tract infections (UTIs). However, bacteremia may be seen in up to 1%-2% of infant patients with SSTIs; this rate can be much higher in febrile infants with cellulitis.
GBS Cellulitis-Adenitis Syndrome: This is a rare, late-onset infection with GBS that presents with cellulitis and lymphadenitis, cellulitis alone, or more rarely, with lymphadenitis alone. It most often presents with accompanying bacteremia and sometimes meningitis. The cellulitis most often occurs on the head and neck (particularly the submandibular area), followed by the inguinal region. This infection often occurs in male infants and in infants who were born prematurely and with a low birth weight. Clinical manifestations include irritability, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, and cutaneous signs of cellulitis (such as erythema and swelling).
Cellulitis is a bacterial infection that can appear as a red, swollen area of skin that may feel warm to the touch. The infant may also have a fever or seem fussy.
The most common bacteria causing cellulitis in babies is Streptococcus. While it may be hard to see, there are often very small cracks (fissures) in the skin that the bacteria enter through.
While the infection may just be on the top skin layer (superficial), it can also affect deeper tissues, involving the muscle, bone, and possibly blood. It is important to recognize cellulitis as early as possible so it can be treated with antibiotics. If left untreated, cellulitis may turn into a life-threatening condition.
Who’s At Risk
Cellulitis occurs in all ages. Babies may be get cellulitis from a small break in the skin, such as from an accidental injury by a caregiver or by the infant causing self-injury (such as from scratching). Babies' still-developing immune systems may have trouble fighting off cellulitis infections.
Signs & Symptoms
The most common locations for cellulitis include the:
Lower legs.
Arms or hands.
Face.
Cellulitis often initially appears as slightly inflamed skin. The affected skin quickly becomes swollen, warm, and tender, and the affected area increases in size as the infection spreads. In lighter skin colors, the area may be any shade of pink or red. In darker skin colors, the redness may be harder to see, or it may appear more purple or dark brown. Occasionally, red streaks may radiate outward on the skin from the site of the cellulitis. Vesicles (small blisters) or pustules (small pus-filled lesions) may be present.
Cellulitis may occur with swollen lymph nodes. Fever and chills are common.
Self-Care Guidelines
There are no self-care treatments for cellulitis. See your baby's medical professional immediately, or take them to urgent care or the emergency room.
When to Seek Medical Care
If your baby develops a warm, enlarging area on the skin that is either red or darker than the surrounding skin, see their medical professional as soon as possible. If your baby also has a fever or if the area is on their face, you should take them to urgent care or the emergency room.
If your baby is currently being treated for a skin infection that has not improved after 2-3 days of antibiotics, return to their medical professional.
Treatments
Although your baby's medical professional may easily diagnose cellulitis, they might order other procedures, such as a blood test or bacterial culture, to find out what type of bacteria may be causing the cellulitis.
While waiting for the results from the bacterial culture, the medical professional may recommend treatment at a hospital for observation and so the baby can receive injected (intravenous) antibiotics. Based on the culture results, they may change the antibiotic, especially if your baby is not improving on the one initially prescribed.
The medical professional may prescribe antibiotics such as:
Vancomycin (eg, Firvanq, Vancocin).
Cefotaxime (eg, Claforan).
Gentamicin.
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in babies 2 months and older.
Patient Information for Cellulitis in Infant/Neonate