Management of Early-Onset Neonatal Sepsis

Abstract

Target Population : Pediatricians, pediatric infectious diseases specialists, neonatologists, neonatal advanced practice registered nurses Sponsoring Organization: American Academy of Pediatrics (Committee on Fetus and Newborn) Type : Evidence-based committee consensus (no grading provided) Key Points: In this document, early-onset sepsis is defined as sepsis with onset at ≤3 days of age. Bacterial infections manifesting at this stage are usually caused by organisms acquired from the mother during late gestation or the birth process. Prolonged rupture of the membranes, chorioamnionitis, maternal colonization with group B streptococci, and premature birth are the major risk factors for early-onset sepsis. Because signs of sepsis are often nonspecific, many infants who never have …