Cerebral abscess caused by Serratia marcescens in a premature neonate

background: cerebral abscesses are extremely rare in neonates. serratia marcescens is an unusual cause of sepsis and neurological spread is especially ominous. purpose: to report the case of a 34-week neonate who developed this rare condition and to discuss diagnostic and therapeutic measures. case reprt: a 34-week male neonate sequentially developed respiratory distress syndrome, early sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis; later cultures revealed s. marcescens. after deterioration, a cerebral abscess became evident, which revealed s. marcescens. clinical improvement ensued after high-dose amikacin and meropenem. conclusion: clinical signs are often non-specific. proper diagnostic measures, neurosurgical consultation and aggressive antibiotic therapy are essential for these high-risk neonates.