Neonatal

Sepsis Neonatal sepsis is a life-threatening infection that appears in a newborn baby’s first month of life. It occurs when bacteria enter the baby’s bloodstream and can cause a severe infection and other complications. Early detection and treatment of neonatal sepsis is critical because it can have serious, long-term health effects, such as organ damage, growth and development delays, and even death. Early recognition and prompt treatment of sepsis are therefore essential to improving the prognosis and long-term outcomes of newborns. Newborns at highest risk of developing sepsis include those with a weak immune system, premature babies, those with other infections, and babies with a poor response to antibiotics. Prevention strategies and diagnostic tests are also available to limit or screen for neonatal sepsis.