The joy you feel when you bring a newborn baby home is indescribable, right? But at the same time, there is also a little fear in the corner of your heart. Every mother and father hopes that the baby will be fine without any illness or pain. Sometimes, serious conditions can occur in babies that we don't expect.
Sepsis is one of the most dangerous conditions for newborns. Today, we are talking about
Neonatal Sepsis .
What is Neonatal Sepsis?
Simply put,
neonatal sepsis is a very serious condition that occurs in babies who are less than 28 days old, that is, less than a month old. This happens when the baby's body overreacts to an infection. Think of it like making a big fuss over something small. This overreacts,
inflammation can occur throughout the baby's body . This inflammation and blood clotting
reduce blood flow to the baby's limbs, as well as important internal organs like the brain,
heart , and kidneys. This causes those organs to gradually start to fail. Just like a tree dies without water. Sometimes, this condition can even be life-threatening for the baby. Therefore, this is
something that needs to be taken very seriously. Doctors divide
neonatal sepsis into two types, depending on when the baby develops it: 1.
Early-onset neonatal sepsis: This is sepsis that usually occurs
within the first 72 hours of birth, that is, before three days. 2.
Late-onset neonatal sepsis: This is sepsis that occurs
after three days of birth.
Who is more likely to develop sepsis?
In fact, any baby can develop this condition called
neonatal sepsis . However,
premature babies are at higher risk. This is because their
immune systems are not fully developed . This means they lack the ability to protect themselves from diseases. Another reason is that because they are born prematurely, they do not receive some of
the antibodies that their mothers need to protect them from diseases. In addition, these babies are also at higher risk of developing sepsis:
- Babies with very low birth weight .
- Given at birthBabies with low Apgar scores (this measures things like the baby's breathing and heart rate ).
- It is said that this risk is relatively higher for male babies .
- If the mother had any infection during pregnancy .
Imagine, sometimes a mother may unknowingly have bacteria like `(Group B Streptococcus - GBS)` lodged in her vagina. While this is not a big problem for the mother, the baby can become infected when she gives birth.
How common is this condition?
Worldwide, hundreds of thousands of babies suffer from sepsis every year. So, this is not something that is all that uncommon.
What are the symptoms of sepsis in a newborn?
This is very important. The symptoms of sepsis in a baby can sometimes be similar to those of other common illnesses. So, don't be afraid to assume that it's sepsis just because you have these symptoms all the time.
However, if your little one has more than one of these symptoms, or if they seem unusually sick, it's best to seek medical attention right away. Here are some of the symptoms
of neonatal sepsis in newborns :
- Fever or low body temperature (chills).
- Fast or slow heartbeat.
- Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing.
- Vomiting.
- Upset stomach (diarrhea).
- Decreased milk intake or difficulty in breastfeeding.
- Bloating (flatulence).
- Cold hands and feet.
- Skin becomes sticky and pale.
- Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice).
- Decreased activity, frequent drowsiness.
- Seizures (fit-like).
What is the main cause of neonatal sepsis?
Most often, sepsis in newborns is caused by
bacterial infections . In particular, E. coli, Listeria, and Group B Streptococcus (GBS) are the main causes. In addition to these bacteria, some
viruses ,
fungi, and
parasites can also cause sepsis. For example,
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)Can cause severe infections in newborns.
How does sepsis develop in newborns?
The two types of
sepsis we discussed earlier, early-onset and
late-onset, differ in how the baby becomes infected.
Early-onset neonatal sepsis
This is
when the baby gets an infection from the mother, either while in the womb or at the time of birth . The following situations can occur:
- When bacteria like `GBS` are present in the mother's vagina.
- If the baby is born prematurely.
- Early rupture of the waters (more than 18 hours before delivery).
- If there is an infection of the placenta and the fluid around it (a condition called `Chorioamnionitis`).
Late-onset neonatal sepsis
This happens when
a baby gets an infection from their new environment after they are born . That is, not from their mother's body. Sometimes, bacteria can get into the baby's body through things like
catheters ,
IVs , and tubes used in the hospital. This is more likely to happen:
- If the baby's birth weight is low.
- If a breathing tube is inserted to help you breathe.
- If antibiotics are continued.
- If a catheter has been placed in a blood vessel or bladder for a long time.
- If you need to stay in the hospital for a long time due to treatment for another medical condition.
How do doctors diagnose sepsis?
Doctors use specific methods to diagnose
neonatal sepsis in newborns . They look at the baby's symptoms and ask about the mother's health. You may hear a doctor say they are doing a "
sepsis work-up ." This is a series of tests to find the cause of the baby's infection. This may usually include:
- Blood tests: `Complete blood count (CBC), `blood cultures` (to check for germs in the blood), `C-reactive protein (CRP)` (a test that indicates inflammation).
- Urine tests: `Urinalysis` and `urine culture` (checks for germs in the urine).
- Spinal tap / Lumbar puncture: In this, a small needle is used to take a sample of the fluid around the spinal cord (cerebrospinal fluid) from the baby's lower back to check for infection. Although this may sound scary, doctors do it very carefully.
- Other imaging tests: Things like a chest X-ray and an ultrasound scan.
How is sepsis in newborns treated?
Neonatal SepsisTreatment should begin immediately. Your baby's doctor may admit your baby to an intensive care unit (ICU) . Sepsis can be treated by:- Intravenous (IV) fluids.
- Administering intravenous antibiotics (IV antibiotics) for bacterial infections.
- Giving antiviral medication for viral infections.
- Heart and/or blood pressure medications.
- If necessary, extra oxygen and other methods to help with breathing.
Sometimes, the baby may need to receive blood transfusions . How do we prevent this condition of sepsis (Neonatal Sepsis)?
To prevent infection from passing from mother to baby, your obstetrician may sometimes tell you to take preventive antibiotics in advance. In these cases, antibiotics may be given to you through an IV a few hours before your baby is born:- If you have an infection like `chorioamnionitis`.
- If you have Group B Strep (GBS) bacteria in your vagina (this can be detected by a pregnancy test).
- If a baby born before you has developed sepsis.
In addition, there are things we can do to prevent sepsis:- Practice good hygiene. It is very important to wash your hands frequently, even before touching your baby.
- Seeking regular medical advice. It is important to go to clinics on time, both during pregnancy and after the baby is born.
- Getting recommended vaccinations.
- Being aware of the symptoms of sepsis.
- If you suspect that you or your baby has sepsis, seek medical attention immediately.
Can sepsis in newborns be cured?
Yes, sepsis in newborns can be treated. Most babies who develop sepsis make a full recovery and live without any further problems. However, neonatal sepsis is a leading cause of infant mortality . Therefore, the speed with which your baby receives treatment determines his or her chances of recovery. It is said that for every hour that passes without treatment, the risk of death from sepsis increases by about 7.6%. This means that time is of the essence here.
What are the possible complications of Neonatal Sepsis?
Most babies who recover from sepsis do not have long-term complications. However, some babies may have long-term health problems. More than a third of babies who survive sepsisThere is a delay in cognitive skills. Also, about half of babies who recover from sepsis will need to be hospitalized again at least once. Some babies can develop meningitis , an infection of the membranes surrounding the brain. Babies with this condition can have severe symptoms and side effects. These include:- Extreme sluggishness - lethargy.
- The soft spot between the bones of the skull (fontanelle) appears bulging.
- Hearing loss.
- Developmental delays.
- Cerebral palsy.
- Seizures.
- Coma.
After you get home from the hospital, if your newborn shows any of these symptoms of sepsis, call 911 immediately, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department:- If the baby is unusually irritable or sleepy all the time.
- If the baby's skin appears cold, pale, or discolored.
- If the baby has not urinated for more than 12 hours (if the diaper is dry).
- If the baby is unresponsive or seems to be having difficulty breathing.
These should be treated as emergencies . When should I see the baby's doctor again?
When your baby's pediatrician discharges him from the hospital, they will tell him to come back in two or three days. Be sure to take him with you at that time to see if he's continuing to improve. What is this Sepsis Risk Calculator?
The Kaiser neonatal sepsis calculator, or early-onset sepsis calculator, is a tool doctors use to help them figure out how likely your newborn is to develop early-onset neonatal sepsis . It takes into account a number of factors, including your health and the baby's condition at birth. There are many things you can worry about when you have a newborn. Neonatal sepsis is one of them. But if you think your little one has a life-threatening condition, seek immediate medical attention . Neonatal sepsis is a medical emergency. The sooner you get your baby medical attention, the better the outcome. The most important things to remember (Take-Home Message)
- Neonatal sepsis is a serious condition, but it can be cured if recognized and treated quickly.
- Be aware of symptoms. Be aware of things like fever, decreased milk intake, difficulty breathing, and changes in skin color.
- If in doubt, see a doctor immediately. Time is of the essence here.
- Take care of the mother's health during pregnancy. Get tested for GBS.
- Think specifically about cleanliness. Simple things like washing your hands before touching your baby can make a big difference.
Everyone wants their little one to be healthy and happy. Therefore, it is very important to be aware of such things.
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