Neonatal Sepsis: Warning Signs Parents Should Never Ignore

Newborn babies need special care. Their bodies are still growing, and their immune systems are not fully developed. Therefore, they can get infections easily.

One serious infection is called neonatal sepsis. It can make a newborn very sick within a short time. Without quick treatment, it can become life-threatening.

Parents should know the warning signs of neonatal sepsis. Early medical care can help protect a baby’s health.

At Aarogya Hospital, Chandigarh, parents can learn more about newborn health and the importance of early treatment.

What Is Neonatal Sepsis?

Neonatal sepsis is a serious infection in a baby during the first 28 days of life.

It happens when harmful germs enter the baby’s body and cause an infection. Bacteria are a common cause, but other germs can also cause it.

The infection can affect important parts of the body, including the lungs and brain. Newborn babies may find it harder to fight infections because their immune systems are still developing.

Early diagnosis and quick treatment are very important.

What Are the Warning Signs of Neonatal Sepsis?

The signs of neonatal sepsis may be hard to notice at first. Sometimes, a baby may simply drink less milk or sleep more than usual.

However, parents should never ignore these changes.

1. Poor Feeding or Refusing Milk

Newborn babies need milk regularly. However, a sick baby may not feed as usual.

Watch for these signs:

• Your baby refuses breast milk or formula.
• Baby drinks much less milk than usual.
• Your baby has trouble sucking.
• Too weak or sleepy to feed.

If your baby suddenly feeds less, seek urgent medical help.

2. Fever or Low Body Temperature

A change in body temperature can be a sign of infection.

Your baby may have a temperature of 38°C or higher. However, some babies with an infection may have a body temperature that is too low.

Therefore, do not assume your baby is healthy just because there is no fever.

Important: A temperature of 38°C or higher in a newborn needs immediate medical attention. Do not wait for other signs to appear.

3. Fast or Difficult Breathing

A serious infection can affect your baby’s breathing.

Look for these warning signs:

• Your baby breathes faster than usual.
• Your baby makes grunting sounds while breathing.
• The skin pulls inward around the ribs.
• Your baby has pauses in breathing.
• Your baby’s lips, tongue, or skin look blue or grey.

If your baby has trouble breathing, seek emergency medical care immediately.

4. Unusual Sleepiness or Less Movement

Newborn babies sleep a lot. However, unusual sleepiness can be a warning sign.

A sick baby may:

• Be difficult to wake.
• Sleep through feeding times.
• Move less than usual.
• Feel weak or floppy.
• Cry very softly.
• Respond less to touch or sound.

If your baby is difficult to wake or does not respond normally, seek emergency medical help.

5. Changes in Skin Colour

Changes in your baby’s skin colour can be another warning sign.

Your baby may look unusually pale, grey, or blue. The skin may also look patchy.

Some babies develop yellow skin or yellow eyes. This is called jaundice.

Jaundice can happen for different reasons. However, if your baby also feeds poorly, seems very sleepy, or looks unwell, seek prompt medical care.

6. Vomiting or a Swollen Tummy

Some babies bring up a little milk after feeding. This can be normal.

However, repeated vomiting or a swollen tummy may be a sign of a serious problem.

Watch for these signs:

• Your baby vomits again and again.
• Baby vomits green fluid.
• Tummy looks swollen or feels hard.
• Your baby vomits and refuses milk.
• You notice blood in the vomit or stool.

Seek urgent medical help if these signs appear, especially if your baby seems unwell.

7. Fewer Wet Nappies

Wet nappies help parents check whether their baby is getting enough milk.

However, a sick baby may pass less urine than usual. This can happen when the baby drinks less milk or becomes seriously ill.

Pay attention if your baby has fewer wet nappies than usual. If your baby also feeds poorly or seems weak, seek urgent medical advice.

8. Seizures or Unusual Movements

In severe cases, neonatal sepsis can affect the brain.

Your baby may have a seizure or repeated unusual jerking movements. Your baby may also become less responsive.

A seizure, unresponsiveness, or difficulty waking is a medical emergency. Seek emergency care immediately.

Which Babies Have a Higher Risk of Neonatal Sepsis?

Any newborn can develop neonatal sepsis. However, some babies have a higher risk.

These include:

• Babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
• born with low birth weight.
• Whose mothers had certain infections during pregnancy or labour.
• Mothers had a fever around delivery.
• Need intensive care or certain medical procedures.

However, even a healthy-looking newborn can develop an infection. Therefore, parents should watch for warning signs in every baby.

What Causes Neonatal Sepsis?

Neonatal sepsis happens when harmful germs cause an infection in a newborn’s body.

The infection may start before birth, during delivery, or after birth.

Doctors may divide neonatal sepsis into two types:

• Early-onset sepsis: The infection develops soon after birth.
• Late-onset sepsis: The infection develops later in the newborn period.

The timing used for these groups can vary between hospitals.

Possible causes include:

• Germs passing from the mother to the baby.
• An infection developing during or after birth.
• Contact with germs through unclean hands or equipment.
• Some infections linked to hospital care.

Washing hands and keeping feeding equipment clean can help lower the risk of infection. However, not all infections can be prevented.

How Do Doctors Diagnose Neonatal Sepsis?

Doctors check your baby’s symptoms, medical history, and general health. They may also perform tests to look for an infection.

These tests may include:

• Blood tests: These help doctors look for signs of infection.
• Blood culture: This test helps find germs in the blood.
• Urine tests: These help check for a urine infection.
• Spinal fluid test: Doctors may test the fluid around the brain and spinal cord if needed.
• Chest X-ray: Doctors may use this test if your baby has breathing problems.

Some test results take time. However, doctors may start treatment before all the results are ready if they suspect sepsis.

How Is Neonatal Sepsis Treated?

Neonatal sepsis needs urgent medical treatment. The treatment depends on your baby’s age, symptoms, and test results.

1. Antibiotics

Doctors usually give antibiotics through a vein if they suspect a serious bacterial infection.

These medicines help fight bacteria. Once the test results are available, doctors may change the treatment if needed.

2. Supportive Care

Some babies need extra help while they recover.

This may include:

• Oxygen to help with breathing.
• A breathing machine if needed.
• Fluids through a vein.
• Help with feeding.
• Help to keep the baby’s body temperature normal.
• Close checks of breathing, heart rate, and oxygen levels.

3. Treatment in the NICU

Some babies need care in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

The NICU provides special care for newborns who are very sick or need close monitoring.

Doctors and trained healthcare staff check the baby regularly. They provide the medicines and support needed for recovery.

The length of treatment depends on how serious the infection is and how well the baby responds to treatment.

How Can Parents Help Prevent Newborn Infections?

Not every infection can be prevented. However, parents can take simple steps to lower the risk.

• Wash your hands before touching or feeding your baby.
• Keep the umbilical cord clean and follow your doctor’s advice.
• Clean feeding bottles and other feeding equipment properly.
• Follow your healthcare professional’s advice about breastfeeding.
• Keep your baby away from people who have contagious illnesses.
• Attend your baby’s recommended health check-ups and vaccinations.
• Seek medical advice if you or your baby develops signs of an infection.

Most importantly, do not ignore changes in your baby’s feeding, breathing, temperature, or behaviour.

When Should Parents Seek Immediate Medical Help?

Newborn babies can become seriously ill very quickly. Therefore, do not wait for the symptoms to get worse.

Seek immediate medical assessment if your baby:

• Has a temperature of 38°C or higher.
• Has an unusually low body temperature.
• Refuses milk or suddenly feeds much less.
• Has fast or difficult breathing.
• Is unusually sleepy, weak, or difficult to wake.
• Has blue, grey, pale, or patchy skin.
• Has a seizure or becomes unresponsive.
• Vomits repeatedly or has other worrying symptoms.

If your baby has trouble breathing, has a seizure, or becomes unresponsive, seek emergency care immediately.

Do not try home remedies or wait for a routine appointment if you suspect a serious infection.

Newborn Care at Aarogya Hospital, Chandigarh

Knowing the warning signs of neonatal sepsis can help parents act quickly. Early medical care is important because a newborn’s condition can change within a short time.

Aarogya Hospital is located in Khudda Lahora, near PGI Chandigarh.

Parents can contact the hospital to confirm the availability of newborn assessment and treatment services.

However, if you suspect neonatal sepsis, take your baby to the nearest appropriate emergency facility. Do not delay treatment while trying to contact a particular hospital.

Conclusion

Neonatal sepsis is a serious infection that affects babies during the first 28 days of life. It can become dangerous without quick treatment.

The early signs may include poor feeding, unusual sleepiness, fever, low body temperature, or breathing problems.

Therefore, parents should watch their baby’s feeding, breathing, temperature, skin colour, and movements.

If your baby seems unwell, seek medical help immediately. Quick action can help save your newborn’s life.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)