Neonatal

Infection
Prevention
There are several ways that
women can help protect
themselves and their babies:
Make sure you've been
immunized against rubella and
chickenpox infection before
trying to become pregnant.
Thoroughly wash and cook
food, regularly wash hands
(particularly before and after
preparing food, after using the
toilet, and after coming into
contact with bodily fluids and
waste).

Praesent mattis
massa non nisi.
References:
Anderson-Berry, A. (2014). Neonatal sepsis.
Medscape, Retrieved from
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/9
78352-overview
Lee, K. (2011). Neonatal sepsis. In D. Zieve
(Ed.), Prevention of Perinatal Group B
Streptococcal Disease, Revised Guidelines
from CDC. Medline Plus. Retrieved from
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/enc
y/article/007303.htm

Neonatal Sepsis

Avoid all contact with cat and

other animal feces.
Practice safe sex to avoid
sexually transmitted diseases
(STDs) that can lead to
congenital infections.

Kapiolani Community College

Nursing Program

Sepsis neonatorum;
Neonatal septicemia;
Sepsis infant

Q&A
What is the prognosis?
With prompt treatment, many babies
with these bacterial infections will
recover completely with no remaining
problems. Nevertheless, neonatal
sepsis is a leading cause of infant
death. The more quickly an infant
receives treatment, the better the
outcome.

What are possible

complications?
A few serious complications are
disability and death.

Sepsis is a serious infection that involves the

spread of germs throughout the bodys blood and
tissues. It can be caused by viruses, fungi, parasites,
or bacteria. Some of these infections are obtained
during birth, while others are acquired from the
environment.
Neonatal sepsis is categorized as early-onset or
late-onset. 85% of newborns with early-onset sepsis
present within 24 hours, 5% present at 24-48 hours,
and a smaller percentage present within 48-72
hours. The onset is most rapid in premature babies.
Early-onset sepsis is associated with acquisition
of the infection from the mother as the baby passes
through the infected birth canal at delivery. The
microorganisms that are most commonly associated
with early-onset infection include Group B

Streptococcus (GBS), Escherichia coli, Coagulasenegative Staphylococcus, Haemophilus influenzae,

and Listeria monocytogenes.
If a pregnant woman is diagnosed with any of
these infections, or if she is considered to be at risk
of an infection, there are preventive measures that
can be taken to lower the likelihood that she will
pass it on to her baby. Because many infections can
be treated with prescribed medication given to the
mother during her pregnancy, maternal testing is
very useful.
Other neonatal infections are best prevented by
taking extra care to keep pregnant mothers from
developing the infection in the first place.

How do I know if my baby has

neonatal sepsis?
Laboratory tests can help diagnose
neonatal sepsis and identify the
bacteria that is causing the infection.
Blood tests may include:

Blood culture

C-reactive protein

Complete blood count (CBC)

A lumbar puncture (spinal tap) will be
done to examine the cerebrospinal
fluid for bacteria. If the baby has a
cough or problems breathing, a chest
x-ray will be taken. Urine culture tests
are done in babies older than several
days.