She was suffering from meconium aspiration syndrome and had needed ventilation from birth. Autopsy could not be done.
Emphasis is laid upon a high index of suspicion and early diagnosis.
To our knowledge, infective endocarditis in neonates has not been previously reported from Saudi Arabia. The infant had shoulder distocia, and the liquor was meconium stained. The baby suffered from meconium aspiration and needed ventilation from birth. There were no congenital abnormalities and systemic examination did not reveal any other abnormality. Umbilical artery catheter was inserted for monitoring of blood gases.