Neonatal orbital abscess

Orbital abscess is life‐threatening and rare in children. Reported herein is a term male neonate who had methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus orbital abscess, and a literature review of this disease. A total of 16 neonates diagnosed with neonatal orbital abscess are reported in the literature. There is a mild male predilection and two neonates were delivered prematurely. Leukocytosis, fever, ethmoiditis and associated upper respiratory tract infection were found in approximately half of them. Eight neonates had sepsis and 14 patients underwent surgical intervention. One patient died. Staphylococcus aureus was identified in 14 out of 17 patients. Neonatal orbital abscess is rarely encountered but may be fatal. Although streptococci are prevalent in childhood orbital infection, S. aureus was predominant in neonatal orbital abscess in the present series. Appropriate antimicrobial therapy against S. aureus is essential in treating neonatal orbital abscess. This case suggests that a higher initial dose of vancomycin may be an effective and safe strategy for severe S. aureus infection in neonates.