Neonatal Sepsis
In today’s article, we will be discussing Neonatal Sepsis. Neonatal Sepsis is a term that is used to refer to systemic infections that usually affect newborns. This term is used and will usually be documented before any specific illness can be established. Meaning before we have established the exact cause of the presenting symptoms, we have to manage the condition as Neonatal Sepsis.
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Epidemiology Of Neonatal Sepsis
Neonatal Sepsis occurs in about 0.5 to 0.8 births per 1000 live births. this is according to the WHO It is more common in developing countries where the rate might be at 6 to 23 per 1000 live births. The reasons it is higher in developing countries may be due to poor living conditions in some of the countries, or even trouble in reaching health care facilities.
It is more common in neonates born with Low Birth Weight, those who also have a respiratory function at birth or whose mothers may be having any maternal risk factors. Remember that premature infants have very low immunity, therefore predisposing them to Neonatal Sepsis.
Males are also more prone to getting Neonatal Sepsis as compared to their female counterparts.
Classification Of Neonatal Sepsis
Neonatal Sepsis can be classified into various categories depending on the time of onset. It can be classified as;
- Early onset Sepsis whose onset is usually between the first to the third day. Also, remember that it is usually caused by bacterial organisms acquired during the birth process.
- Late Onset Sepsis. In this case, the onset is after the 3rd day and can also be due to bacterial causes. This bacterial infection may be acquired from a hospital, which is known as Nosocomial, or it may be community-acquired.
Predisposing factors that lead to predisposing neonates to getting Neonatal sepsis include maternal risk factors and neonatal risk factors.
Maternal Risk Factors For Neonatal Sepsis
Some the maternal risk factors include;
- Chorioamnionitis.
Chorioamnionitis is a condition where the amniotic fluid is infected with bacteria, which can be passed on to the baby during birth.
- Prolonged or Premature rupture of membranes.
- Maternal bleeding(Placenta previa, abruptio placentae)
- toxaemia
- poor maternal nutrition/socioeconomic status
- intrapartum asphyxia
- maternal GBS colonization
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Fetal Risk Factors For Neonatal Sepsis.
Some of the fetal risk factors include;
- Prematurity. A premature infant is one who is born before reaching 37 weeks of gestation. These infants are more susceptible to infections because their immunity is not yet well-built. That is why it is important that these infants are kept in the Newborn Unit where they can be given specialized care.
- Gender. It is important to note that more Males are affected than females.
- twinning
- developmental or congenital immune defects. Some of these defects can include tetralogy of Fallot, and these infants are susceptible to infections.
- administration of intramuscular iron
- Galactosemia
- Omphalitis
- low Apgar score = asphyxia
What To DO If You Suspect Your Child Has Neonatal Sepsis
If you suspect that your child has neonatal sepsis, it is highly recommended that you take the child to the nearest hospital as soon as possible. A Neonate with neonatal sepsis will show any of the following danger signs;
- Unable to breastfeed. Neonate that this is not the same as refusing to breastfeed, because a child might be unable to breastfeed because they are full. On the other hand, when a child is unable to breastfeed, it means that they may be so weak or sick that they don’t even have the strength to open their mouth to breastfeed, even though they are hungry.
- Vomiting everything you give them
- Having difficulty breathing so much that they used their accessory muscles to breathe.
Click here to see other common danger signs in Children.