Treatment
The treatment for neonatal pneumonia depends
Neonatal Pneumonia is a serious
disease that can be caused by
microorganisms
It is said to account for at least 10%
of childhood mortality
The most common cause of
neonatal pneumonia is a bacterial
infection
In terms of treatment, antibiotics
are used to help kill off any bacteria
that might be responsible
BY:
To prevent neonatal pneumonia,
vaccination of the mother during
pregnancy are important
on the cause. But since the common cause is a
bacterial infection, doctors will most likely
prescribe antibiotics. They will also consider the
type of neonatal pneumonia, whether it’s
early-onset or late-onset.
NEONATAL
Since the early-onset type is normally a part of
PNEUMONIA
generalized sepsis syndrome, the treatment for
the two is similar. As for late-onset, many
doctors use broad-spectrum antibiotics to
treat the condition.
Aside from antibiotic therapy, neonates
suffering from pneumonia may also need an
increased amount of oxygen.
Prevention of
Neonatal Pneumonia
Regular prenatal checkups. SUBMITTED
Screening the mothers for the presence of
group B Streptococcus bacteria.
Georweena Gracia Presto
Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis; this BSN 2-B
means that the mother will receive the
treatment during labor or delivery.
Follow up on neonates that have a high risk
of developing infections.
 What is Neonatal
Pneumonia?
Neonatal infections acquired transplacentally,
such as TORCH (toxoplasmosis, rubella,
cytomegalovirus, herpes), are rare and seldom
develop pulmonary abnormalities. Infections
acquired perinatally can occur via ascending
infection from the vagina, transvaginally during
birth or as a hospital-acquired infection in the
neonatal period. Prolonged rupture of
membranes before delivery is a major risk factor.
It is thought that most cases of neonatal
pneumonia occur during birth, when the infant
may swallow and/or aspirate infected amniotic
fluid or vaginal tract secretions. Group B
streptococcus is the most common organism
identified. The radiological features are non-
specific.
Causes of Neonatal
Pneumonia
Two types of pneumonia can affect premature
or full-term neonates. They are:
Early-onset. This occurs early on–possibly
within hours after the baby is born. Early-
onset neonatal pneumonia can be a part of
another condition called generalized sepsis
syndrome. Typically, it stems from maternal
infection or other complications immediately
after delivery.
Late-onset. It happen just 7 days after the
baby’s birth. Usually, it occurs in babies who
are in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
and thus, can be community-acquired.
Various types of bacteria can cause neonatal Signs and Symptoms
pneumonia. Babies can get them from the genital
tract of their mother or in the nursery while
staying in the hospital. Examples of bacteria that
may cause pneumonia are:
Distressed Respiratory Status
Preemies with pneumonia may experience rapid
Streptococci (most common) breathing. During a physical examination by a doctor,
Staphylococcus aureus they may also produce sounds like wheezing or
Escherichia coli grunting during respiration. Because the lungs are
Pseudomonas aeruginosa affected, babies may also have difficulty breathing.
Doctors and caregivers will notice this when they see
the following:
Movement of muscles between the ribs
Belly breathing
Flaring of nostrils
Cyanosis
Change in the Respiratory Secretions
Newborns with pneumonia may also exhibit changes
in their respiratory secretions. Mostly these changes
Risk Factors involve an increase in quantity and change in
consistency and color. With pneumonia, the
respiratory secretions may become brownish and
thick.
By default, babies are
“immunocompromised.” This means that they have
already
less protection from various illnesses and infections
General Symptoms of Illness
Due to the infection, preemies may also manifest:
compared to older people who have a
fully-functioning immune system.
Instability in temperature; they may develop a fever
Chills
Cough
A premature baby has a weaker immunity than a full-
term newborn. This makes them even more prone to
Less activity
Vomiting
Poor feeding
developing neonatal pneumonia. The same is true for
babies who have disorders affecting their immune
systems.
Additionally, the following factors also heighten the
risk as they increase the baby’s exposure to the
different pneumonia-causing organisms:
Complicated or prolonged labor
Membrane-rupture more than 18 hours before
giving birth
Maternal infections
Prematurity
Underdeveloped immunity
Environmental factors (for community-acquired)