Neonatal Sepsis

Definition
Neonatal sepsis is a bacterial infection in the blood. It is found in infants during the first month of life. This
may become a serious condition.
Spread of Infection
Causes
1. Baby exposed to bacteria.
2. Early onset sepsis-- develops within the first week is from the
mother (via the placenta or from passing through the birth
canal).
3. Late onset sepsis that develops after one week is from the care
giving environment.
1. Baby is born more than three weeks before due date (premature)
2. Going into labor more than three weeks before due date
3. Baby is in distress before being born
4. Baby has a very low birth weight
5. Baby has a bowel movement before being born, and fetal stool is
in the uterus
6. Amniotic fluid surrounding the baby has a bad smell, or the
baby has a bad smell right after being born
Symptoms
In almost all cases, symptoms present within 48 hours of birth.
1. Fever or frequent changes in temperature
2. Poor feeding from breast or bottle
3. Decreased or absent urination
4. Bloated abdomen
5. Vomiting yellowish contents
6. Diarrhea
7. Extreme redness around the umblicus
8. Skin rashes
9. High or low blood sugar
10. Difficulty waking the baby or unusual sleepiness
11. Jaundiced or overly pale skin
12. Abnormally slow or fast heartbeat
13. Breathing rapidly, difficulty breathing, or periods of no breathing (apnea)
14. Bruising or bleeding
15. Seizures
16. Cool, clammy skin
Diagnosis
Tests may include the following:
Complete blood count
Cultures of:
Blood
Urine
Cerebrospinal fluid
Skin lesions

 X-rays of the chest or abdomen

Treatment
Treatment depends on severity
Treatment may last 2-21 days.
hospitalized for at least two days to wait for culture results.
Monitor the baby without antibiotics.
The neonate is 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:
1. Antibiotics
Antibiotic medication may have to be given intravenously (IV).
2. Intravenous Fluids
The baby may need to receive fluids, glucose, and electrolytes through an IV.
3. Oxygen
Oxygen inhalation
Prevention
What steps you will take to prevent neonatal sepsis
1. The best way of preventing infection is to deliver a baby at the health facility using clean and sterile
instruments by skilled personnel.
2. Breastfeeding may also help prevent sepsis in some infants.
3. Avoid overcrowding at home and keep normal newborns with their mothers whenever possible. Do
not separate mothers and their newborns unless absolutely necessary.
4. Encourage breastfeeding. Breast milk contains antibodies, which help to protect the newborn from
infections.
5. Try to convince the mother not to wash the baby for the first 24 hours after birth. Vernix (the curd
or cheese-like secretion covering the newborns skin) has antibacterial properties and should be left
to be absorbed by the babys skin.
6. Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap before handling newborns. Hand washing is
probably the most important method of preventing the spread of infection.
7. Help the mother with her personal hygiene and cleanliness and try and ensure that the room where
mother and baby live is clean.
8. Always use sterile and clean instruments to cut the umbilical cord, and keep the stump clean and
dry. Clean all instruments used for maternal and newborn care with alcohol before every
examination.
9. Remember that routine prophylactic(Preventive) eye care immediately after delivery with antibiotic
ointment (tetracycline) prevents eye infection, but you should use it only once.
10. Don't forget immunization: all pregnant women should be vaccinated with at least two doses (and
preferably up to five doses) of tetanus toxoid to prevent neonatal tetanus.