Perinatal Echovirus-11: a potentially fatal infection

This case report details the history of a male infant born at 36 weeks’ gestation who presented with necrotising enterocolitis-like signs in the first week of life but was later confirmed to be infected with an enterovirus infection (Echovirus-11). The baby’s vague presentation provided a diagnostic conundrum such that he underwent a laparotomy that possibly exacerbated his fragile condition. Despite full supportive therapy, the infant developed disseminated intravascular coagulation and succumbed to massive pulmonary haemorrhage on day 13 of life. This article aims to raise awareness of this potentially fatal group of infections that can mimic common neonatal morbidities.