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Sepsis
Sepsis
Sepsis
What is sepsis?
Sepsis is a term for severe infection that is present in the blood and spreads throughout the body. In newborns, it is
also called sepsis neonatorum or neonatal septicemia.
premature rupture of the membranes (amniotic sac), or membrane rupture for an extended length of time
bleeding problems
a difficult delivery
Babies can also develop sepsis by contracting infections after birth from infected persons or objects. Babies in the
newborn intensive care unit (NICU) are at increased risk for acquiring nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections.
Many babies in the NICU are premature or have low birthweight which makes them more susceptible to infection and
more likely to need invasive treatments and procedures. Microorganisms that normally live on the skin may cause
infection if they enter the body through catheters and other tubes inserted into the baby's body.
What microorganisms cause severe infections and sepsis in babies?
Prenatal During Delivery After Birth
blood tests
lumbar puncture (Also called spinal tap.) - a special needle is placed into the lower back, into the spinal
canal. This is the area around the spinal cord. The pressure in the spinal canal and brain can then be
measured. A small amount of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) can be removed and sent for testing to determine if
there is an infection or other problems. CSF is the fluid that bathes your child's brain and spinal cord.
blood cultures
urine culture (sometimes by suprapubic tap, insertion of a needle through the lower abdomen into the
bladder)
culture of fluids from inside tubes and catheters that are inserted in the baby
x-rays - a diagnostic test which uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal
tissues, bones, and organs onto film.
Procedures may also be performed to determine which antibiotics or medications are most effective for treating the
specific microorganism.
Treatment of sepsis:
Specific treatment for sepsis will be determined by your baby's physician based on:
Early diagnosis and treatment of the infection are important in helping prevent sepsis from overwhelming a baby's
body. However, cultures of blood and body fluids may take several days for the organism to grow and be identified.
Because of this, babies who are at increased risk for sepsis, such as premature or low birthweight babies, may have
preventive antibiotic treatment started as soon as cultures are taken. Most medications are given intravenously (IV).
Sepsis can be life threatening as the infection can affect several body systems at the same time. This can make
providing treatment more difficult. Babies with sepsis will require care in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU), and
may need antibiotics, other medications, and specialized treatment (such as a mechanical breathing machine). The
healthcare team will be working to provide the best care to treat the infection and care for your baby.
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