Group D streptococcal septicemia in the neonate.

The clinical course of 11 patients with neonatal group D streptococcal septicemia is reviewed. Two of the infants died and hydrocephalus developed in one. Group D Streptococcus, both enterococci and nonenterococci, should be considered pathogenic in the neonate until proved otherwise. The antibiotics of choice for treating such infections in the newborn are ampicillin sodium and either kanamycin sulfate or gentamicin sulfate.