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Neonatal sepsis - Symptom

Alternative Names

Sepsis neonatorum; Neonatal septicemia; Sepsis - infant

Symptoms:

Infants with neonatal sepsis may have the following symptoms:

Body temperature changes
Breathing problems
Diarrhea
Low blood sugar
Reduced movements
Reduced sucking
Seizures
Slow heart rate
Swollen belly area
Vomiting
Yellow skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)

Signs and tests:

Laboratory tests can help diagnose neonatal sepsis and identify the bacteria that is causing the infection. Blood tests may include:

Blood culture
C-reactive protein
Complete blood count (CBC)

A lumbar puncture (spinal tap) will be done to examine the cerebrospinal fluid for bacteria.

If the baby has a cough or problems breathing, a chest x-ray will be taken.

Urine culture tests are done in babies older than several days.

Reviewed last on: 5/9/2011
Kimberly G Lee, MD, MSc, IBCLC, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Verani JR, McGee L, Schrag S. Prevention of Perinatal Group B Streptococcal Disease, Revised Guidelines from CDC, 2010. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 59(RR-10): 1-36, 2010.

Stoll et al . Early onset neonatal sepsis: the burden of group B streptococcal and E. coli disease continues. Pediatrics 2011: 127:817-826.

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