[Early onset of neonatal sepsis with non-encapsulated Haemophilus influenzae--a new problem in Denmark].

During the past decade an increasing incidence of neonatal septicaemia caused by non-encapsulated Haemophilus influenzae has been reported in both the USA and Europe. From the Danish county of Northern Jutland four cases are reported in premature infants. Respiratory distress and septicaemia were apparent within the first 12 hours after birth, and clinical findings were similar to early onset neonatal septicaemia caused by group B haemolytic streptococci or pneumococci. One neonate born at the 28th week of gestation died, and three other neonates of gestational age 30 to 34 weeks recovered. The non-encapsulated strains were sensitive to ampicillin and belonged to biotypes II, III, and V.