Osteomyelitis and bacteremia caused by Bacteroides fragilis: a complication of fetal monitoring.

A neonate monitored with scalp electrodes during delivery presented with a scalp abscess, osteomyelitis and bacteremia. Bacteroides fragilis was recovered from the blood culture, and polymicrobial aerobic and anaerobic flora were isolated from the aspirated purulent material. Attention should be paid to the possibility of such complications in infants requiring fetal monitoring.