## Neonatal Infections and Other Conditions
**Introduction**
Neonatal infections are a serious health concern that can affect newborns. They can occur during pregnancy, during birth, or after birth. Neonatal infections can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. The most common symptoms of neonatal infections include fever, hypothermia (low body temperature), vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, irritability, seizures, and respiratory distress.
**Diagnosis**
Neonatal infections are diagnosed based on a physical examination, medical history, and laboratory tests. Blood cultures, spinal taps, chest X-rays, and abdominal ultrasounds may be performed to confirm the diagnosis.
**Prevention**
Neonatal infections can be prevented by following these steps:
* Pregnant women should receive prenatal care to prevent infections.
* Newborns should be vaccinated against common infections, such as hepatitis B, Hib, rotavirus, and pneumococcal disease.
* Newborns should be kept clean and their umbilical cords should be kept dry.
* Hands should be washed frequently to prevent the spread of infection.
**Treatment**
Neonatal infections are treated with antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungals. Intravenous fluids, respiratory support, and surgery may also be necessary.
**Complications**
Neonatal infections can lead to a number of complications, including:
* Sepsis (a life-threatening infection)
* Meningitis (an infection of the brain and spinal cord)
* Pneumonia (an infection of the lungs)
* Necrotizing enterocolitis (a serious intestinal infection)
* Sepsis-like illness (a condition that resembles sepsis)
* Transient tachypnea of the newborn (a breathing problem that occurs in newborns)
* Respiratory distress syndrome (a serious lung condition that occurs in newborns)
* Hyperbilirubinemia (a condition in which the newborn has too much bilirubin in their blood)
* Jaundice (a condition in which the newborn’s skin and whites of their eyes turn yellow)
**Doctors Who Typically Treat Neonatal Infections**
Neonatal infections are typically treated by pediatricians and neonatologists. Pediatricians are doctors who specialize in the care of children. Neonatologists are doctors who specialize in the care of newborns.
**Body Parts**
Neonatal infections can affect any part of the newborn’s body. The most common sites of infection are the:
* Newborn’s body
* Infant’s body
* Umbilical cord
* Placenta
**Conditions**
Neonatal infections can lead to a number of conditions, including:
* Neonatal sepsis
* Meningitis
* Pneumonia
* Necrotizing enterocolitis
* Sepsis-like illness
* Transient tachypnea of the newborn
* Respiratory distress syndrome
* Hyperbilirubinemia
* Jaundice
**Symptoms**
The symptoms of neonatal infections can vary depending on the type of infection. Some of the most common symptoms include:
* Fever
* Hypothermia
* Vomiting
* Diarrhea
* Lethargy
* Irritability
* Seizures
* Respiratory distress
**Procedures**
A number of procedures may be performed to diagnose and treat neonatal infections. These procedures include:
* Blood culture
* Spinal tap
* Chest X-ray
* Abdominal ultrasound
* Exchange transfusion
**Synonyms**
Neonatal infections are also known by the following names:
* Congenital infections
* Early-onset infections
* Late-onset infections
* Nursery-acquired infections
**Treatment**
Neonatal infections are treated with antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungals. Intravenous fluids, respiratory support, and surgery may also be necessary.
**Vaccinations**
A number of vaccines can help prevent neonatal infections. These vaccines include:
* Hepatitis B vaccine
* Hib vaccine
* Rotavirus vaccine
* Pneumococcal vaccine
**Related Terms**
Neonatal infections are related to the following terms:
* Antibiotic resistance
* Epidemiology
* Mortality
* Morbidity
* Prematurity
* Low birth weight
* Maternal infection
* Vertical transmission
