An outbreak of gastroenteritis due to Escherichia coli 0142 H6 in a neonatal department.

An outbreak of gastroenteritis due to Escherichia coli 0142 H6 in a neonatal ward is described. The epidemic affected 16 of 24 infants (infection-rate 66 per cent), of whom one died due to necrotizing enterocolitis. Administration of antibiotics was of limited value in treatment or in eradicating E. coli 0142 H6 from the stools. Termination of the epidemic was only accomplished by isolating the patients, accompanied by strict hygienic measures, including the use of disposable gloves. Gastroenteritis due to this organism occurred only in prematurely born infants during the first 2 weeks of life.