Lactobacillus rhamnosus Sepsis Associated with Probiotic Therapy in a Term Infant with Congenital Heart Disease

Abstract

Background:

Congenital heart diseases (CHD) are the most common birth defects. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in premature infants, and probiotics can be used to protect NEC.

Case report:

We present a term infant with aortic coarctation who developed sepsis with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG after probiotic use, successfully treated with ampicillin. The baby unfortunately died of acute cardiac arrest on the 90th day of life.

Conclusion:

Probiotic-associated sepsis may develop in infants with various risk factors such as central catheterization, long-term mechanical ventilation and in those at risk for NEC.

Keywords:

• Congenital heart disease
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus
• sepsis
• probiotics