Neonatal sepsis and Meningitis

Abstract

This article discusses the etiology, predisposing factors, clinical signs, therapy and prognosis of the neonatal septicemia and meningitis. Beta-hemolytic streptococcus of group B has been reported as the most frequent infectious agent in the recent years, the next being E.coli. The natural humoral and cellular immune immaturity of newborns and particularly premature predisposes the newborn infant to the infection. Early onset septicemia has a higher mortality rate while late onset sepsis has a better prognosis. The therapy of choice consists in a combination of a penicillin and an aminoglycoside till the results of cultures and antibiograms are reported.