Characteristic features of neonatal sepsis due to Haemophilus influenzae.

The number of cases of neonatal Haemophilus influenzae sepsis reported in the literature has increased. The predominant serotypes (80%) involved in neonates appear to be non-type b whereas in older infants type b is responsible for the great majority of cases. It appears that most cases of neonatal H. influenzae sepsis begin before or at the time of delivery, as the disease is strongly associated with early postnatal onset (83%), prematurity (83%), and a variety of maternal complications (44%). The mortality rate is 55.5% overall but 90% among babies born at less than or equal to 30 weeks of gestation.