Neonatal cranial osteomyelitis: a complication of fetal monitoring.

Use of a scalp electrode facilitates and adds precision to electronic fetal monitoring. We report an instance of neonatal osteomyelitis due to infection of the electrode insertion site. Electrode-associated soft and bony tissue infections are most commonly mediated by cervicovaginal microflora and appear clinically and microbiologically distinct from non-electrode-associated cases. Risk assessment, antiseptic care, and observation of the electrode insertion site are recommended. This report emphasizes the potential morbidity of scalp electrode use and suggests means to prevent or mitigate this morbidity.