Neonatal sepsis is dangerous

This article is professionally consulted by Resident Doctor, Doctor Nguyen Hung Tien - Resident Doctor of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

Neonatal sepsis is a serious infection that occurs in infants younger than 28 days of age. Because bacteria are present in the blood, the condition can affect any organ system in the body or the entire body, causing dysfunction and sometimes life-threatening.

Neonatal sepsis is a blood infection that occurs in infants under 28 days of age.
Neonatal sepsis is divided into two categories, which help guide the identification of the cause and access to treatment, including: (1) Early-onset sepsis, occurring within the first week of life, and (2) Late-onset sepsis occurs when the baby is over 1 week old.

Neonatal sepsis can be caused by bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Listeria and some strains of streptococcus. Among them, group B streptococcus is the main cause of neonatal infections. However, this problem has become less common as women are well screened during pregnancy.
Neonatal infections are usually caused by microbial agents that enter the baby's body directly. However, invasion of bacteria by other routes can also indirectly cause disease. For example, a baby can be infected before birth if the amniotic fluid in the fetus is already infected. Not only that, during labor and delivery, babies can also get infections due to birth control procedures and manipulations. Finally, after birth, a baby can still get an infection during care in the hospital or at home.
In addition, if the baby has the following risk factors, it will increase the likelihood of sepsis:
Early-onset sepsis:
The mother was infected with group B strep during pregnancy Preterm birth More broken water 18 hours before birth Infection of the placental tissues and amniotic fluid (chorioamnionitis) Late-onset sepsis:
Having long-term use of intravascular catheters Nurturing in the hospital for a period of time long.

Newborns with sepsis may have the following symptoms:
Change in body temperature Respiratory dysfunction such as tachypnea, slow breathing or episodes of apnea Diarrhea or decreased bowel movements Hypoglycemia Decreased suckling Convulsions Slow or fast heartbeat Stomach upset Vomiting Drowsy or lethargic.

Symptoms of neonatal sepsis are nonspecific, sometimes similar to other conditions. At this point, to make a diagnosis, your child will need to have tests done to identify as well as rule out other diseases. These tests may include:
Blood culture: This is done as evidence of the presence and growth of bacteria in the blood. Results will sometimes take up to several days; accordingly, treatment was started immediately, before blood culture results were available. However, this is the most accurate way to diagnose sepsis. X-ray and sputum culture, to check for infection coming from the respiratory tract. Urine culture: Same as above, this checks for the possibility of bacteria in the urinary system. Lumbar puncture : This is done to check for infection from the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). Cultures of other types of specimens, which help look for the presence of bacteria elsewhere, such as in a wound. Other routine tests such as complete blood count, liver enzymes, kidney... to screen for damage and function of organs in the body.

Treatment for sepsis will depend on your baby's symptoms, age, and general health. In addition, treatment will also depend on the severity of the infection when there is organ damage.
An infant with sepsis can be very sick. At this time, the baby needs to be monitored in the neonatal intensive care unit. In addition to antibiotics, your baby will also receive fluids, other medications, oxygen, nutritional support, and help with breathing if needed.
Most babies will be given antibiotics for up to 3 weeks if bacteria are found in the blood or spinal fluid. On the contrary, the treatment will be shorter if no bacteria are found.

In the majority of cases, if the baby is infected with bacteria, he will recover completely and have no other problems. However, the child must be detected and treated promptly or it will lead to death.
If left untreated or failed, the baby can experience complications from neonatal infections such as disabling sequelae if neurological effects, organ dysfunction and even death.
Therefore, parents need to pay attention to the above suspicious signs of neonatal sepsis and take their child to the doctor as soon as possible.

Infection prevention is based on minimizing risk factors. Accordingly, parents and caregivers need to apply basic measures in place to prevent the spread of infection, including
Frequent hand washing Limiting the placement of transmission lines on the child's body or removing when not Also indicated Good sterility in invasive procedures in the baby For women still in the period of pregnancy, antibiotics may be needed to prevent neonatal sepsis if present:
Meningitis Yes Group B streptococcus Ever had a child with bacterial sepsis The Pediatrics department at Vinmec Health system with the function of receiving, examining and actively treating diseases that children often acquire. With strengths in examination - detection - early intervention in cases of high risk of abnormalities in the development of children.
Customers can directly go to Vinmec International General Hospital nationwide for examination or contact the hotline here for support.
MORE:
Sepsis in children: What are the causes? Postpartum maternal sepsis: Dangerous obstetric infections Diagnostic tests for sepsis in infants