Clostridium perfringens intestinal gas gangrene in a preterm newborn

While necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is a well-known and common complication of prematurity, gas gangrene has rarely been reported in preterm babies. Clostridium perfringens, an anaerobic bacterium, has been described in only a few cases of NEC with rapid and fatal course. We report a preterm triplet girl of 31 gestational weeks presenting on her third day of life with intestinal pneumatosis and perforation, severe hemolysis and septic shock. Laparotomy revealed necrosis of a large portion of the intestine. Surgical intervention could not alter the fatal course. Peritoneal swabs grew α-toxin producing Clostridi…