Final answer:
The statement that pneumonia may develop in newborns with a chlamydial infection and that oral antibiotics such as erythromycin may be required is true. Chlamydial pneumonia in infants is often a consequence of transmission from an infected mother during birth, and erythromycin is an effective treatment for this and other bacterial infections.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pneumonia can indeed develop in newborns with a chlamydial infection; such cases typically require treatment with oral antibiotics like erythromycin. This is true because the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis, which is one of three pathogens causing chlamydial pneumonia, can be transmitted to the infant from the mother during birth. The use of erythromycin is effective against a range of bacterial infections, including respiratory tract infections and those caused by Chlamydia species.
Newborns can be particularly vulnerable to infection, including pneumonia, when exposed to pathogens during birth. In the case of chlamydial pneumonia, transmission often occurs as the baby passes through the birth canal of an infected mother. Chlamydia trachomatis can lead to inflammation and fluid buildup in the alveoli of the lungs, requiring the use of antibiotics to prevent complications and promote recovery.