A Case of Symptomatic Intestinal Amebiasis in Newborn

Amebiasis is the second cause leading to morbidity and mortality among parasitic disease Worldwide. Although amebic colitis is frequently seen among older infants, symptomatic infection is rarely seen in the neonate. An 18-day-newborn admitted to our polyclinic with vomiting and mucous-diarrhea was hospitalized with the suspicion of intestinal amebiasis. Amebic trophozoids and cysts were detected in the fecal examination. The serologic examination of feces showed the Entomobea histolytica antigens. Metronidazole was started at the dose of 50 mg/kg/day orally. The patient recovered fully after this treatment. It should not be forgotten that amebiasis can develop in the newborn, even those who are breastfed, referring with vomiting and mucous-diarrhea from areas having poor hygienic and socioeconomic standards. In this paper, a case of symptomatic intestinal amebiasis, which is rarely seen among newborns, has been presented in order to draw attention to neonatal amebiasis.