Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
INTRODUCTION
Babies can also develop sepsis by contracting infections after birth from
infected persons or objects. Babies in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) are at
increased risk for acquiring nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections. Many babies in
the NICU are premature or have low birthweight which makes them more susceptible to
infection and more likely to need invasive treatments and procedures. Microorganisms
that normally live on the skin may cause infection if they enter the body through
catheters and other tubes inserted into the baby's body.
A.PREDISPOSING FACTORS
*(Pregnancy Complications)
• premature rupture of the membranes (amniotic sac), or membrane rupture
for an extended length of time
• bleeding problems
• a difficult delivery
*(Nosocomial)
• unsterile instruments
• personnel or staff in the hospital
B.ETIOLOGY
1. All neonatal infections are considered opportunistic, and all bacteria are capable of
causing sepsis.
2. Group B streptococcus is the most cause.
• Group A streptococcus
• E.coli
• Strep.viridans
D. DEFINITION OF TERMS
Sepsis or septicemia- refers to generalized bacterial infection in the bloodstream
Nosocomial Infection- infection acquired in the hospital
Lethargy- the quality or state of being drowsy and dull, listless and unenergetic, or
indifferent and lazy; apathetic or sluggish inactivity.
E. HOW IS SEPSIS DIAGNOSED?
A sepsis workup may be needed to help identify the location of the infection
and type of microorganism causing the infection. A sepsis workup may include the
following procedures:
• blood tests
• lumbar puncture (Also called spinal tap.) - a special needle is placed into the
lower back, into the spinal canal. This is the area around the spinal cord. The
pressure in the spinal canal and brain can then be measured. A small amount of
cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) can be removed and sent for testing to determine if
there is an infection or other problems. CSF is the fluid that bathes your child's
brain and spinal cord.
• blood cultures
• culture of fluids from inside tubes and catheters that are inserted in the baby