Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal septicemia complicating infected hemangioma in children.

Septicemia complicating infected hemangiomas was diagnosed in two children aged 2 months and 2 years. The younger also developed bacterial meningitis. Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus non-M protein typable was isolated in both patients. Neither had leukocytosis and in only one was the erythrocyte sedimentation rate elevated. The children recovered after intravenous antibiotic therapy. Use of systemic antibiotics should be considered in infected hemangiomas in childhood even in the absence of elevated acute-phase reactants.