Cervical Spinal Epidural Abscess in an Infant: A Possible Complication of Untreated Streptococcus pneumoniae Bacteremia

Fever is one of the major diagnostic challenges for the pediatrician. The accurate diagnosis and treatment of febrile infants is the major concern because of the immaturity of immune system in the first three months of life. The outcome of untreated occult bacteremia depends on causative organism as well as host factors. Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteremia can resolve spontaneously without treatment, especially in children that appear well, can persist, and can lead to localized infections. S. pneumoniae as the causative agent of spinal epidural abscess is rare. In this report we present a young infant admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of cervical abscess due to untreated S. pneumoniae bacteremia.