Liver Abscess in a Term Baby: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

Liver abscess in the neonatal period is a rare disorder with potentially serious morbidity. The disorder can occur both in term and preterm babies. Newborn babies with lower gestational age, lower birth weight, invasive procedures (umbilical lines or central venous lines), immunodeficiency, and those on parenteral nutrition remain at higher risk [1]. The recent widespread and efficient use of bedside ultrasound (US) scans in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) have made it easy to rule in or rule out liver abscess in a baby with clinical features of sepsis and hepatomegaly. We report a case of liver abscess secondary to sepsis in a term neonate. The baby required surgical drainage with complete resolution. The relevant literature is also reviewed.