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Definition
Neonatal sepsis is a bacterial infection in the blood. It is a condition found in infants during the first month of life. This is a potentially serious condition that requires care from your babys doctor. If you suspect your baby has this condition, contact the doctor immediately.
Spread of Infection
2008 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.
Causes
The cause is related to the babys exposure to bacteria. Early onset sepsis that develops within the first week is usually acquired from the mother, via the placenta or from passage through the birth canal. Late onset sepsis that develops after one week is usually acquired from the caregiving environment. Intrapartum antibiotics have had a positive impact on preventing early onset bacterial sepsis.
Some factors related to your pregnancy or health also add to the chance that your baby can get this condition. These include:
- Labor complications resulting in traumatic or premature delivery
- Water has broken more than 18 hours prior to giving birth
- Fever or other infection while you are in labor
- Need for a catheter for a prolonged period of time while you are pregnant
Risk Factors
The following factors increase your childs chance of developing neonatal sepsis:
Baby is born more than three weeks before your due date (premature)Going into labor more than three weeks before your due dateBaby is in distress before being bornBaby has a very low birth weightBaby has a bowel movement before being born, and meconium (fetal stool) is in the uterusAmniotic fluid surrounding the baby has a bad smell, or the baby has a bad smell right after being bornMale babies are at greater risk for neonatal sepsis than female babies. Symptoms In most cases, symptoms of neonatal sepsis are present within 24 hours of birth. In almost all cases, they will be present within 48 hours of birth. If your baby experiences any of these symptoms do not assume it is due to neonatal sepsis. These symptoms may be caused by other, less serious health conditions. However, if your baby does experience any one of them, see your doctor. Some of these symptoms are things the doctor will need to check for. Fever or frequent changes in temperaturePoor feeding from breast or bottleDecreased or absent urinationBloated abdomenVomiting yellowish materialDiarrheaExtreme redness around the belly buttonSkin rashesUnexplained high or low blood sugarDifficulty waking the baby or unusual sleepinessJaundiced or overly pale skin Abnormally slow or fast heartbeatBreathing rapidly, difficulty breathing, or periods of no breathing (apnea)Bruising or bleedingSeizuresCool, clammy skin DiagnosisYour doctor will ask about your babys symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam.
Tests may include the following: Complete blood count Cultures of: BloodUrineCerebrospinal fluidSkin lesionsX-rays of the chest or abdomen TreatmentTalk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for your baby. Treatment for suspected neonatal sepsis depends on how severe the condition is. Treatment may last 2-21 days. In general, neonates suspected of sepsis are hospitalized for at least two days to wait for culture results.A well-appearing infant may be monitored without antibiotics and sent home when cultures are negative. Culture-proven sepsis is treated for 7-21 days, depending on the location of the infection.Treatment options include: AntibioticsAntibiotic medication may have to be given intravenously (IV). Intravenous FluidsThe baby may need to receive fluids, glucose, and electrolytes through an IV. OxygenThe baby may need to be given oxygen or have help with his or her ventilation (breathing). Prevention To help reduce your babys chance of getting neonatal sepsis, your doctor may take the following steps: If you have given birth to a baby with neonatal sepsis before, your doctor may give you antibiotics close to your due date. This can help kill dangerous bacteria in the birth canal before the baby is exposed to it.The doctor can test you for the bacteria before your due date and give you antibiotics to get rid of it if needed.Breastfeeding may also help prevent sepsis in some infants. RESOURCES:
Auckland (New Zealand) District Health Boardhttp://www.adhb.govt.nz/newborn/Default.htm/ Minnesota Department of Healthhttp://www.health.state.mn.us/ CANADIAN RESOURCES: BC Health Guidehttp://www.bchealthguide.org/ Sick Kidshttp://www.sickkids.ca/ References: Behrman RE, Kliegman RM, and Jenson HB. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 17th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2004. Herbst A, Klln K. Time between membrane rupture and delivery and septicemia in term neonates. Obstet Gynecol. 2007 Sep;110(3):612-8. EBSCO Dynamed website. Available at: http://dynaweb.ebscohost.com. Accessed June 8, 2008. Kleigman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2004. Neonatal infections.The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy website. Available at:http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/mmanual/section19/chapter260/260m.jsp. Accessed September 18, 2005. Neonatal sepsis. Parental Advisory Council: Leadership, Advocacy, and Consultation website. Available at: http://www.paclac.org/Manuals_Guidelines/manuals_guidelines.htm. Accessed September 18, 2005. Last reviewed January 2008 by Kari L. Kassir, MDPlease be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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