Cervical adenitis in infancy. Report of four cases due to staphylococci.

Four cases of cervical adenitis occurring in infants under four months of age are presented. Coagulase positive staphylococci were recovered in pure culture from the involved lymph node in each instance. Staphylococcal aureus as a cause of lymphadenitis should be suspected in patients who present with acute lymph node swelling and no obvious focus of infection. Antibiotic management of this clinical problem should include therapy specific for the staphylococcus.