An Overview of Diagnosis Neonatal Sepsis with Antimicrobial Management

Abstract

Neonatal sepsis is one of the most prevalent major health problems, affecting an estimate of around thirty million newbornseach year throughout the world. The onset of sepsis within the first fourty-eight hours after birth is associated with prenatal and perinatal predisposing factors. The on set of sepsis between fourty-eight and seventy-two hours of life usually indicatesnosocomially acquired infections. Klebsiella Pneumonia is the leading pathogenic organism causing neonatal sepsis in Asian countries, and the most important etiological factor for neonatal sepsisis found to be low birth weight. Sepsis score is a useful method for early and rapid diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. Antibiotics are given to most neonates suspected to be infected. Ampicillin and gentamicin are the first line treatment. The occurrence of neonatal sepsis can be brought down by practising clean and safe delivery, early & exclusive breast feeding, strict postnatal cleanliness which should be followed by adequate hand washing and aseptic methods. Neonatal sepsis is the third leading cause of neonatal mortality and a major public health problem. Despite major advances in neonatal medical care, the frequent presence of non-infectious conditions resembling sepsis pose a challenge to the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis, especially seen in preterm infants. Another factor complicating the diagnostic procedure is the absence of optimal diagnostic tests. Neonatal sepsis is among the leading high-risk diseases that infect newborns, especially preterm infants, warranting an aggressive line of treatment. Clinical practitioners are compelled to use broad spectrum antibiotics to neonates with high risk factors and/or signs of suspected infection. But the use of empirical antibiotic coverage and also their prolonged use contribute to the rising incidence of resistance amongst microbial strains. Apart from the high occurrence rate and mortality rate of sepsis in preterm infants, its long-term consequences also include adverse effects on growth and development. In our review, we touch upon the most common doubts and challenges faced during the diagnosis and management of neonatal sepsis. [1].