Understanding Neonatal Sepsis: Early Signs and Importance of Early Detection

Neonatal sepsis is a severe medical condition that particularly affects newborns, especially during the first few months of their birth. In simple words, neonatal sepsis is a systemic infection that affects newborns less than 28 days old. It is important to detect the early signs and diagnose the condition to prevent any life-threatening complications.

Read this article to find out what neonatal sepsis is, the early signs, complications, and treatment in detail.

Understanding Neonatal Sepsis

Neonatal sepsis is an infection and can be categorized into two types, as follows:

Early-Onset Sepsis:

EOS occurs within 72 hours of birth and is usually acquired from the mother during delivery. It is caused by bacteria such as E. coli, Group B Streptococcus, and Listeria monocytogenes.

Late-Onset Sepsis

LOS occurs within 72 to 28 days of birth and can be caused by common pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus or Candida species.

Early Signs of Neonatal Sepsis

The signs of neonatal sepsis are usually subtle, which makes it difficult to detect at an early stage. However, some of the most common symptoms include:

• Instability in temperature, i.e., fever above 38°C or below 36°C (hypothermia),.
• Respiratory concerns, such as rapid breathing, flaring nostrils, or retractions.
• Decreased food intake
• Excessive lethargy
• Increase irritability
• Apnea (not being able to breathe for 20 seconds or more or having a slow heart rate)
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes or newborn jaundice
• Pale or blue-tinged skin
• Seizures or twitching 

Complications

Neonatal sepsis can have severe health complications in newborns, which makes it important for early detection. The complications include:

• Meningitis
• Pneumonia
• Septic shock occurs when blood pressure reaches a dangerously low level, resulting in inadequate blood flow to the organs.
• Disseminated intravascular coagulation, which occurs when there is clotting in the entire blood vessels, is followed by excessive bleeding.
• Organ failure causes multiple organs, such as the kidney, liver, heart, or lungs, to fail.
• Hypotension or low blood pressure
• Respiratory distress syndrome, usually affecting premature babies, leads to respiratory concerns like difficulty breathing.
• Metabolic acidosis occurs when there is an excess volume of acids in the body, resulting in retarded oxygen delivery to the organs.
• Rapid growth, like difficulty in weight gain for infants or an inability to meet developmental milestones on time,.

Diagnosis and Treatment

The diagnosis of neonatal sepsis includes tests such as blood culture, CBC (complete blood count), CRP results, and lumbar puncture to confirm the severity of the infection.

To avoid any severe health complications, the doctor may recommend starting empirical antibiotic therapy even before the diagnosis, depending on the infant’s age and the pathogen causing it.

Once the diagnosis is completed, the doctor provides supportive care, including oxygenation, hydration, and nutritional support. However, in severe cases, critical care is recommended.

Preventive Measures for Neonatal Sepsis

There are several measures to reduce the risk of neonatal sepsis in infants, such as

• During prenatal care, expecting women are screened for GBS. If screened positive, the healthcare provider recommends certain antibiotics to prevent transmission of infection to the infant.
• It is equally important to practice hygiene habits to reduce the risks of hospital-acquired infections and prevent their transmission to newborns.
• Breastmilk consists of essential antibodies and nutrients that help your newborn fight against such infections and boost their immunity.

Takeaway

Neonatal Sepsis is a severe health complication that typically affects newborns due to pathogens either during delivery or in contact with common pathogens. It is essential to identify the early signs of the infection to avoid life-threatening complications in infants. If you suspect any early signs, reach out to your healthcare provider for immediate medical attention.