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- GBS is the most common cause of early-onset neonatal sepsis in term infants (born between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy). In comparison, E. coli is the most common cause in preterm infants (born before 37 weeks of pregnancy). In very-low-birthweight infants who weigh less than 1500 grams at birth, E. coli is a more common cause.
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Jan 1, 2023 · The organisms that most commonly cause early-onset sepsis include group B Streptococcus, Escherichia coli, and viridans streptococci. Infants often present within the first 24 hours after birth with clinical signs of sepsis, with respiratory distress as the most common presenting symptom.
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- Overview
- Symptoms and Causes
- Diagnosis and Tests
- Management and Treatment
- Prevention
- Outlook / Prognosis
- Living With
- Additional Common Questions
Sepsis in newborns, or neonatal sepsis, is a serious medical condition that occurs when a baby younger than 28 days old has a life-threatening response to an infection. Bacterial infections are the most common cause of neonatal sepsis. If your newborn has sepsis, it’s a medical emergency. Your baby needs urgent treatment with antibiotics.
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OverviewSymptoms and CausesDiagnosis and TestsManagement and TreatmentPreventionOutlook / PrognosisLiving WithAdditional Common Questions
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What are the signs of sepsis in a newborn?
Many of the symptoms of sepsis in newborns are ones you’ll see when your baby is sick with another illness. More often than not, your baby won’t have sepsis. But if your newborn has more than one of these symptoms or they seem sicker than normal, you should seek medical care right away. Neonatal sepsis symptoms may include: Fever or low temperature. Fast or slow heart rate. Fast breathing or shortness of breath. Vomiting. Diarrhea. Reduced sucking/difficulty feeding. Swollen belly (abdomen). Cold hands and feet. Clammy, pale skin. Yellow skin and whites of their eyes (jaundice). Reduced activity. Seizures.
What is the leading cause of neonatal sepsis?
Bacterial infections are the most common cause of sepsis in newborns. Bacteria such as E. coli, Listeria and Group B streptococcus (GBS) are common bacteria that can cause infections that lead to sepsis. Viruses, fungi and parasites can also lead to the condition. For instance, the herpes simplex virus (HSV) can cause severe infections in newborns. Advertisement
How do newborns get sepsis?
Newborns develop sepsis in different ways based on their age of onset.
How is sepsis in newborns diagnosed?
Healthcare providers use specific guidelines to diagnose neonatal sepsis. They’ll evaluate your baby’s symptoms and ask about your medical history. You may hear your baby’s provider use the term “sepsis work-up.” A sepsis work-up refers to the tests they’ll use to diagnose the cause of your baby’s infection. The sepsis work-up may include: Blood tests: Complete blood count, blood cultures and C-reactive protein. Urine tests: Urinalysis and urine culture. Spinal tap (lumbar puncture): A provider inserts a very small needle into the space around your baby’s spine to withdraw spinal fluid to test for infections. Imaging tests: Chest X-ray or ultrasound. Advertisement
How do you treat sepsis in newborns?
Neonatal sepsis treatment needs to begin immediately. Your baby’s healthcare provider may admit your baby to an intensive care unit (ICU). Treatment for sepsis in newborns may include: Intravenous (IV) fluids. IV antibiotics to fight bacterial infections. Antiviral medication to fight viral infections. Heart and/or blood pressure medications. Extra oxygen and other forms of respiratory support, if needed. Occasionally, babies may need blood transfusions. Care at Cleveland Clinic Find a Pediatric Primary Care Provider Find a Doctor and Specialists Schedule a Pediatric Primary Care Appointment
How can I prevent neonatal sepsis?
To prevent passing along an infection to your baby, your obstetrician may recommend you take preventive antibiotics. Your provider will give you IV antibiotics for several hours before delivery if: You have an infection such as chorioamnionitis. You have group B strep colonization in your vagina. You’ve had a previous baby born with sepsis. In addition, there are steps you can take to prevent sepsis, including: Practice good hygiene. See your healthcare provider regularly. Get your recommended vaccines. Know the signs of sepsis. Get care fast if you think you or your baby have sepsis.
Is sepsis curable in newborns?
Sepsis in newborns is curable. Many newborns who develop sepsis recover completely and don’t have any other issues. But neonatal sepsis is one of the leading causes of infant death. The quicker your baby gets treatment, the better their outcome will be. The risk of death from sepsis increases by about 7.6% with every hour that passes without treatment.
What are the possible complications of neonatal sepsis?
Most newborns who recover from sepsis don’t develop any complications. But many babies who survive develop long-term health issues. More than one-third of babies who survive sepsis will experience a delay in cognitive skills. Almost half of neonatal sepsis survivors return to the hospital at least once after recovery. Some babies develop an infection of the membranes surrounding their brain called meningitis. Newborns who have this condition may develop serious symptoms and side effects, including: Extreme sluggishness (lethargy). Bulging of the soft spot between their skull bones (fontanelle). Hearing loss. Developmental delays. Cerebral palsy. Seizures. Coma.
When should I take my newborn to the ER?
If you’re home from the hospital and your newborn develops the following symptoms of sepsis, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room: Your baby is unusually irritable or sleepier than normal. Your baby’s skin is cold, pale or discolored. Your baby has had dry diapers for more than 12 hours. Your baby is unresponsive or having trouble breathing.
When should I follow up with my newborn’s healthcare provider?
When your baby’s pediatrician discharges them from the hospital, they’ll want to see them within two to three days. Make an appointment to come back in for your baby’s provider to check for continued signs of recovery.
What’s the sepsis risk calculator?
The Kaiser neonatal sepsis calculator, or early-onset sepsis calculator, is a tool healthcare providers use to determine your newborn’s risk of developing early-onset neonatal sepsis. The tool estimates your baby’s chances of getting the condition based on multiple variables, including your risk factors and your baby’s condition at birth. A note from Cleveland Clinic There are many things you may worry about when you have a newborn. Neonatal sepsis probably wasn’t one of them. But if you think your newborn may have this life-threatening condition, seek treatment right away. Neonatal sepsis is a medical emergency. The faster you get medical care for your infant, the better their outcome will be. Medically Reviewed Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 01/21/2023. Learn more about our editorial process.
Sep 29, 2022 · Signs and symptoms of neonatal sepsis can range from nonspecific or vague symptoms to hemodynamic collapse. Early symptoms may include irritability, lethargy, or poor feeding. Others may quickly develop respiratory distress, fever, hypothermia, or hypotension with poor perfusion and shock.
- Meenakshi Singh, Mahdi Alsaleem, Cory P. Gray
- 2022/09/29
May 22, 2024 · GBS is the most common cause of early-onset neonatal sepsis in term infants (born between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy). In comparison, E. coli is the most common cause in preterm infants (born before 37 weeks of pregnancy).
Oct 1, 2021 · Studies conducted in high-risk perinatal centers have identified Escherichia coli and group B Streptococcus as the most common organisms causing early-onset sepsis. Few data inform the full spectrum of pathogens or the impact of infection on outcomes among surviving infants.
- Dustin D. Flannery, Dustin D. Flannery, Erika M. Edwards, Karen M. Puopolo, Karen M. Puopolo, Jeffre...
- 2021
Early-onset neonatal sepsis usually results from organisms acquired intrapartum. Most infants have symptoms within 6 hours of birth. Most cases are caused by group B streptococcus (GBS) and gram-negative enteric organisms (predominantly Escherichia coli). Vaginal or rectal cultures of women at term may show GBS colonization rates of up to 35%.
Early-onset sepsis remains a common and serious problem for neonates, especially preterm infants. Group B streptococcus (GBS) is the most common etiologic agent, while Escherichia coli is the most common cause of mortality.
