Neonatal Sepsis

What Is Neonatal Sepsis?

Neonatal sepsis is a life-threatening bloodstream infection that occurs in newborns within the first 28 days of life. It happens when a baby’s immune system is too immature to fight off infections, allowing bacteria, viruses, or fungi to spread rapidly in the body.

Early recognition and prompt treatment are crucial to prevent complications and improve survival.

Types of Neonatal Sepsis

Neonatal sepsis is classified based on when the infection starts:

Early-Onset Sepsis (EOS)

Occurs within the first 72 hours of life
Often acquired from the mother during childbirth
Common pathogens: Group B Streptococcus (GBS), Escherichia coli, Listeria

Late-Onset Sepsis (LOS)

Occurs after 72 hours of life
Typically acquired after birth from the environment (hospital or community)
Common pathogens: Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, Candida

Causes and Risk Factors

For Early-Onset Sepsis:

Maternal infection (e.g., chorioamnionitis, urinary tract infection)
Prolonged rupture of membranes (>18 hours before delivery)
Premature birth (<37 weeks)
Inadequate prenatal care
Maternal fever during labor

For Late-Onset Sepsis:

Use of invasive devices (e.g., central lines, ventilators)
Prolonged NICU stay
Prematurity or low birth weight
Poor hygiene or infection control practices

Symptoms of Neonatal Sepsis

Sepsis symptoms in newborns can be subtle and non-specific. Common signs include:

Poor feeding or refusal to feed
Lethargy or low activity
Fever or low body temperature (hypothermia)
Breathing problems (grunting, fast or slow breathing)
Pale, blotchy, or bluish skin
Irritability or weak cry
Low blood pressure
Seizures
Jaundice or poor circulation

Note: In premature or low birth weight babies, symptoms may be harder to detect, making close monitoring essential.

Diagnosis

Prompt diagnosis is critical and includes:

Blood culture (to identify the causative organism)
Complete blood count (CBC) and CRP (inflammatory markers)
Lumbar puncture (CSF analysis) to rule out meningitis
Urine culture
Chest X-ray if respiratory symptoms are present
Pulse oximetry to monitor oxygen levels

Treatment

Neonatal sepsis is a medical emergency and requires immediate hospitalization and treatment.

1. Antibiotic Therapy

Broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics are started immediately, then tailored based on culture results.

2. Supportive Care

Oxygen or ventilator support (if respiratory distress is present)
IV fluids and electrolytes
Monitoring of blood pressure and heart rate
Nutritional support (e.g., tube feeding or IV nutrition)

3. Antiviral or Antifungal Therapy

If viral (e.g., HSV) or fungal infections are suspected or confirmed.

Complications (If Untreated or Delayed)

Meningitis
Pneumonia
Shock and multi-organ failure
Brain injury or developmental delay
Death

With early treatment, many newborns recover fully, but preterm or low-birth-weight infants may require long-term follow-up.

Prevention

During Pregnancy:

Routine screening and treatment for Group B Streptococcus (GBS)
Prompt treatment of maternal infections
Clean and safe delivery practices
Avoiding unnecessary invasive procedures during labor

After Birth:

Strict hand hygiene in NICUs
Sterile handling of medical equipment
Breastfeeding to strengthen immunity
Limited exposure to people with infections
Immunizations as per schedule

Why Choose Aster Hospitals for Neonatal Sepsis Care?

At Aster Hospitals, we provide state-of-the-art care for newborns facing sepsis and other critical conditions through our advanced Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU). Our team includes experienced neonatologists, pediatric infectious disease specialists, and specially trained NICU nurses who deliver 24/7 monitoring and emergency care. We ensure rapid diagnosis with immediate access to advanced labs and culture testing, and offer life-saving supportive care with ventilators, incubators, and intravenous nutrition. Our approach is family-centered, providing counseling and education to support long-term care. With dedicated neonatal follow-up clinics for developmental assessment, Aster is committed to giving every baby the strongest start in life—even in the most critical moments.