Management of Early-Onset Neonatal Sepsis

Suspected sepsis during the first 3 days of life is common; antibiotic use can be minimized by reducing treatment duration when the probability of sepsis is low.

Target Population: Pediatricians, pediatric infectious diseases specialists, neonatologists, neonatal advanced practice registered nurses

Sponsoring Organization: American Academy of Pediatrics (Committee on Fetus and Newborn)

Type: Evidence-based committee consensus (no grading provided)

Key Points: In this document, early-onset sepsis is defined as sepsis with onset at ≤3 days of age. Bacterial infections manifesting at this stage are usually caused by organisms acquired from the mother during late gestation or the birth process. Prolonged rupture of the membranes, chorioamnionitis, maternal colonization with group B streptococci, and premature birth are the major risk factors for early-onset sepsis.

Because signs of sepsis are often nonspeci…

Reviewing Author

Robert S. Baltimore, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsInfectious Diseases in Children

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesMember Committee on Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis and Kawasaki Disease

Robert S. Baltimore, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsInfectious Diseases in Children

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesMember Committee on Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis and Kawasaki Disease

Management of Early-Onset Neonatal Sepsis

Topics

Reviewing Author