Neonatal sepsis: consequences and causes of this disease

Neonatal sepsis, if not treated immediately, can lead to serious consequences: let's see what the causes are and how it is treated.

A disease that affects babies within the first week of life, neonatal sepsis needs to be treated immediately. Caused by bacterial or viral infections, it requires hospitalization and certain therapies. Let's see what are the factors that trigger it, the symptoms and consequences.

Neonatal sepsis: what it is and how to take it

Neonatal sepsis is an acute infectious process caused by the passage of germs in the blood. It mainly affects premature babies , but even full-term babies are not exempt. Newborn babies are affected because the disease is contracted in hospital and their immune system is not yet developed. There are two forms of sepsis: early , with onset in the first 72 hours of life and vertical transmission of the pathogen from the mother before or during birth, and late , which occurs after 72 hours of life and has horizontal transmission of the pathogen.

Generally, neonatal sepsis presents clear symptoms : grayish complexion, apathy, inappetence, body temperature too high or too low, tachycardia and tachypnea. In addition, clearly visible signs, such as bruising, may appear on the skin. Doctors do a variety of tests, including examining the spinal cord, to detect the presence of the virus.

Sepsis is mainly caused by bacterial infections and rarely by viruses, fungi or protozoa: from group B Streptococcus to Escherichia coli , passing through Klebsiella, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria and Candida.

Neonatal sepsis: consequences and treatment

A child with neonatal sepsis must necessarily be hospitalized until complete recovery. Doctors will give the newborn antibiotics, intravenous liquid support and, in severe cases, respiratory ventilation. Unfortunately, if not treated properly, sepsis can lead to death .

Premature and underweight babies are most at risk. Infants who have more serious complications develop meningitis which could lead to developmental delays, cerebral palsy, seizures, or hearing loss. Those who recover from the problem, on the other hand, do not develop long-term problems.