Sepsis in Newborn Babies

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is sepsis? " пїЅ Sepsis is an infection in the blood. It is a serious illness that affects the whole body. Sepsis needs to be treated right away because it can be life-threatening. пїЅ пїЅ

Sepsis can happen in babies, children, and adults. "Sepsis in newborn babies " пїЅ is when sepsis happens in babies younger than 1 month old. Doctors and nurses call it "neonatal sepsis. " пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ

This article is about sepsis in newborn babies who were born after 34 weeks of pregnancy. пїЅ пїЅ

What are the symptoms of sepsis in newborn babies? " пїЅ Symptoms of sepsis in newborn babies can include: пїЅ пїЅ

A fever " пїЅ But some babies have a low or normal body temperature instead of a fever.
Trouble breathing or breathing faster than normal
Feeding less than usual
Vomiting
Jaundice " пїЅ Jaundice is the word doctors use when a babys skin or white part of the eye turns yellow.
Sleeping more than usual
The fingertips and lips looking slightly blue

Should I call my baby's doctor or nurse? " пїЅ Yes. If your baby has any of the symptoms above, or isn't acting normally, call his or her doctor or nurse right away. пїЅ пїЅ

Will my baby need tests? " пїЅ Yes. The doctor or nurse will ask about your baby's symptoms and about his or her birth, and do an exam. He or she will do blood tests, including a test called "blood cultures. " пїЅ Blood cultures can check for an infection in the blood. пїЅ пїЅ

Many babies also need other tests to check if they have an infection in another part of their body. These tests might include: пїЅ пїЅ

A lumbar puncture (sometimes called a "spinal tap " пїЅ) " пїЅ During this procedure, a doctor will put a thin needle into your baby's lower back and remove a small sample of spinal fluid. Spinal fluid is the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. He or she will do lab tests on the sample.
Urine tests
A chest X-ray

How is sepsis in newborn babies treated? " пїЅ Sepsis in newborn babies is treated in the hospital. The doctor will give your baby antibiotic medicines that go into his or her vein through a tube called an "IV. " пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 17189 Version 2.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.206 пїЅ пїЅ

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Sepsis in Newborn Babies

The Basics

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

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