Sepsis in infants, when bacteria infect a newborn

The development of the human immune system (immune) has started since birth or the neonatal phase where the baby's body is still very susceptible to infection. The baby's immune system can already respond to infection, but on the other hand, this immune response is also at risk of causing sepsis in newborns.

Sepsis is a serious condition that occurs when the immune system responds aggressively to an infection in the body and causes damage that can threaten the life of a newborn. Sepsis begins when chemicals from the immune system are released into the circulatory system and eventually causes serious inflammatory reactions in the body. In newborns, sepsis is usually caused by a bacterial infection.

When can sepsis in newborns occur?

Sepsis in newborns can occur during childbirth and less or more than three days after birth. These two things are differentiated into early-onset and late-onset neonatal sepsis.

1. Early onset neonatal sepsis

This type of sepsis occurs when bacteria attack the baby during normal delivery (vaginally). Symptoms of sepsis generally appear in the first six hours after the baby is born. Various gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria are associated with the occurrence of infection and sepsis in newborns.

Well, the most common ones are streptococcus group B and Escherichia coli (E. coli) . Colonization of bacteria in the mother's vagina can increase the risk of sepsis in the newborn.

2. Late-onset neonatal sepsis

In general, sepsis is caused by bacterial infection in the environment in which the newborn is located, such as a hospital environment. Infection is mostly caused by various types of germs Staphylococcus and E. coli which is transmitted from the use of intravascular tools and infection Pseudomonas aeruginosa from use of breathing apparatus in infants.

Birth characteristics such as birth weight can also influence the occurrence of sepsis infection. The risk of sepsis is higher in babies born prematurely and experiencing low birth weight.

Symptoms and effects of sepsis on newborns

Signs of developing sepsis in newborns tend to be less specific. However, it includes some of the symptoms that can be observed in babies such as:

The baby looks lethargic or not energized
Don't want to breastfeed
The body tends to be cold due to low body temperature
Experiencing symptoms of apnea or breath stopping for a moment
Have a fever for no apparent reason
The skin looks pale and doesn't look healthy
There is swelling around the stomach
Throws up
Experiencing diarrhea
Seizures
Looks restless
Symptoms of jaundice of the eyes and skin

Sepsis in newborns is one of the leading causes of death in infants. Infection of the brain membrane can also occur as a complication of sepsis. In addition, sepsis can also be a cause of growth problems because babies do not get optimal nutrition when they have diarrhea or do not want to breastfeed at birth.

Risk factors for sepsis in newborns

In early onset, sepsis is associated with the birth process. Early onset sepsis is most at risk when the breakdown of the amniotic tract membrane occurs earlier before the birth process begins, preterm delivery, and the presence of bacterial colonization in the vaginal birth canal of pregnant women during labor.

Whereas late onset, hospitalization of the newborn may increase the risk of sepsis. For example, the length of time being treated after birth, too long using an intravascular catheter, experiencing problems related to infection at birth, being close to other people who are sick, and the use of non-sterile intravenous equipment and fluids.

Treatment of neonatal sepsis

Early treatment is necessary to treat sepsis and prevent other health problems in babies. The diagnosis of sepsis is based on symptoms and blood tests to see if the bacteria are present in the blood. This is very important in making decisions about the follow-up treatment required by the baby.

Treatment of sepsis in infants with intravenous antibiotics can be done after the type of bacteria is recognized and treatment possibilities can be adjusted. In addition, the use of a ventilator, intravenous fluids, and help with the blood circulation system may also be needed. Early treatment that is done properly can make the baby recover completely without congenital impacts in the future.