Abstract
Neonatal sepsis is the most common cause of neonatal deaths with high mortality despite treatment. Neonatal sepsis can be classified into two subtypes depending upon onset of symptoms. There are many factors that make neonates more susceptable to infection. Signs of sepsis in neonates are often non-specific and high degree of suspicion is needed for early diagnosis. Some laboratory parameters can be helpful for screening of neonates with neonatal sepsis, but none of it is specific and sensitive enough to be used singly. Diagnostic approach mostly focuses on history and review of non specific signs and symptoms. Antibiotic treatment is the mainstay of treatment and supportive care is equally important. The aim of this review is to give an overview of neonatal sepsis, including incidence, etiology, clinical picture, diagnostics and therapy.
Highlights
Neonatal sepsis (NS) is single most important cause of neonatal deaths in the community, accounting for over half of them [1,2]
Neonatal sepsis can be classified into two subtypes depending upon whether the onset of symptoms is before 72 hours of life or later
The microorganisms most commonly associated with early onset infection include group B Streptococcus (GBS), Escherichia coli, coagulase negative Staphylococci (CONS), Haemophilus influenzae and Lysteria monocytogenes [12]
Summary
Neonatal sepsis (NS) is single most important cause of neonatal deaths in the community, accounting for over half of them [1,2]. NS is defined as a clinical syndrome characterized by signs and symptoms of infection with or without accompanying bacteremia in the first month of life. It encompasses various systemic infections of the newborn such as septicaemia, meningitis, pneumonia, arthritis, osteomyelitis etc., but it does not include superficial infections like thrush [4]. Babies in the neonatal intensive care units (NICU) are at increased risk for acquiring nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections. Early-onset infections are caused by organisms prevalent in the maternal genital tract or in the delivery area. Risk factors for early-onset sepsis include prematurity, low birth weight, premature and prolonged rupture of membranes, maternal fever, uroinfection and chorioamnionitis. The use of broad spectrum antibiotics is risk factor for fungal NS
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