About this topic
Newborn sepsis is a blood infection in babies. It happens during the first 3 months of life. Germs or bacteria may enter your babys blood several ways. The mother can pass these germs to the baby during birth. This infection can start any place in the baby's body. It may start in the lungs, bowels, or the skin. A procedure done in the hospital may also cause an infection. Babies get infections very easily since their body systems are not mature. ‚
This kind of infection may cause a very serious health problem. Babies will need to be watched closely. They will have to go to the hospital. The infection must be treated right away with drugs, IV fluids, and oxygen. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do to care for your child.
- Keep your baby away from people who are sick. Stay away from crowded places until your baby has fully recovered.
- Wash your hands often. Tell people to wash their hands before they come near, touch, or hold your baby.
- Practice proper hand washing. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also work to kill the virus.
- If you are sick, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. You can also cough into your elbow. Throw away tissues in the trash and wash your hands after touching used tissues.
- Do not get too close (kissing, hugging) to people who are sick.
- Do not share towels or hankies with anyone who is sick.
- Get a flu shot each year.
What follow-up care is needed?
The doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your babys progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Fight an infection
- Lower fever
Will physical activity be limited?
Your baby may lack energy or may look tired. Let your baby get lots of rest to help recovery. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
Feed your baby breast milk or formula even when sick. This may help prevent sepsis from returning. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Heart problems
- Kidney problems
- Lung problems
- Brain problems
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Your doctor may test you for the presence of bacteria before you give birth.
- Your doctor may give you drugs to treat infection before birth. These drugs can kill germs in your birth canal before your baby gets infected. This will help prevent spread of infection to your baby.
- Get your baby vaccinated at the suggested times.
- Hand washing is important when handling your baby. Make sure that people who are sick stay away from your baby.
- Breastfeeding may also help prevent sepsis in some babies.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, change in the sound of your babys cry, crying too much, muscles become stiff, tired, irritable, bulging or fullness of the soft spot on your baby's head, increase or decrease in your baby's heart rate, and/or fewer wet diapers.
- Loose stools
- Throwing up
- Yellow skin and eyes (jaundice)
- Breathing problems
- Swollen belly area
- Your baby is not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or is feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you about your child. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my childs condition.
- I can tell you what I will do to keep my child from getting sick.
- I can tell you what I will do if my child has a fever, is crying too much, or has trouble breathing.
Where can I learn more?
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_center/newborn_health_conditions/sepsis.html# ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚