Most Common Neonatal Infections Every Mom Should Know About

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Most common neonatal infections

“Newborns are majorly at risk for some diseases because their immune system is not developed enough to combat the attack of bacteria, viruses and parasites that might result in causing deadly infections.”

Neonatal Infections – Though, most of the newborns are actually healthy at the time of their birth, but certain medical conditions can lead to drastic infections that require urgent treatment and medical tests.

When newborns gets sick, they may require to spend more time in the hospital- or even the NICU (Neonatal intensive care unit) for quick recovery.
To deal with such unforeseen condition, family members, especially mothers are highly under prepared to deal with such unforeseen events. They might get frightened.

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But being a mother, it’s really important to let the baby stay in the hospital till the time their infection is treated.
In this blog post, we are going to give a detailed account about neonatal infections that are most common in newborn babies, their symptoms and necessary measures that can be taken to ensure the pink health of the baby.

Signs and Symptoms:

There are symptoms that you need to look for. Some of these symptoms require immediate medical attention and emergency medical care. If these symptoms continue to be persistent, then you know you need to visit medical care urgently.

• Difficulty in breathing.
• Lasting crying
• Listlessness
• A very low or high body temperature; too unstable.
• Skin rashes, unspecified skin allergies, skin colour change
• Unusual fretfulness.

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These are some of the most common signs and if they continue to occur for a while, then without delaying further, it’s advisable to rush to the doctor. Especially if the baby is younger than 2 months.

most Common Neonatal Infections
Newborn babies are at an increased risk of getting sick

Common diseases that require immediate medical treatment:

Group B Streptococcal Diseases:
It’s a most common bacteria which serves as the breeding ground for many deadly diseases and infections. It’s vital for the mother to take care of her intimate hygiene a great deal to prevent the attack of this bacteria. Since, this bacteria is usually transferred to foetus through their mothers. Many pregnant women carry these bacteria in their rectum or vagina, where they can easily pass to the newborn if the mother hasn’t been treated with antibiotics.
To diagnose GBS, doctors run blood tests and take cultures of blood, urine and if necessary, cerebrospinal fluid to look for the bacteria. Careful monitoring for days in hospital and proper treatment with antibiotics are essential to cure the baby from the effect of this infection.

Listeriosis:
This is also that bacteria which requires utmost caution to be practiced on mother’s part since it is too transferred from mom to foetus. It is really deadly since it might lead to premature delivery or even stillbirth.

Diagnosis and Treatment:

A blood or spinal fluid culture test helps in detection of bacteria in the body. Infected babies are treated with the help of antibiotics in the hospital.

neonatal infections every mom should know about
Treatment of Listeriosis infection varies, Most people with mild symptoms require no treatment.

• E.coli Infection:

It is really important to be informed about E.coli bacteria. It’s a deadly bacteria which may lead to urinary tract infections, sepsis, pneumonia. Everyone carries this bacteria in their body and during childbirth.

It generally passes through the birth canal or by coming into contact with the bacteria either at hospital or home. Most newborns who get infected with the bacteria have particularly fragile immune system that makes them vulnerable to getting sick.
One should get alert if a baby continues to suffer through fever, unusual fussiness, listlessness or lack of interest in everything around them.

Diagnosis and Treatment: A baby is supposed to undergo blood, urine, or cerebrospinal fluid.

Infection is Treated With the Help of Antibiotics.

• Conjunctivitis: It is one of the most common bacteria which affects newborns a great deal. It is commonly known as pink eye. It appears as temporary redness and swelling in the eye. And usually followed/accompanied by a discharge. It can be both viral and bacterial.

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Treatment and Diagnosis: A physical examination, lab testing on a sample of discharge from the eye can help the doctor to find the cause of the infection. Antibiotics, eye drops, or ointment maybe used to treat conjunctivitis in a newborn. This infection is extremely contagious.

So, the doctors may also suggest that other family members should limit their contact with the baby. More serious type of conjunctivitis require hospitalization.

• Candidiasis: An overgrowth of the common yeast candida, found on everyone’s body leads to the fungal infection candidiasis. In newborns, it usually appears as diaper rash, but babies can also develop oral thrush in the mouth and throats. Other symptoms include white patches on the tongue, palate, lips and cheek insides.
• They often pick up these neonatal infections from the mother’s vagina during delivery or breastfeeding.

Diagnosis and Treatment: Treatment is started with the help of mouth lesions alone and anti fungal medicines are required to treat thrush.

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common neonatal Infections Newborn babies are at an increased risk of getting sick
For Infection of the skin, your doctor can give you an anti fungal cream or powder or prescribe you an anti fungal pill

“There are some more infections as well that might be really hazardous for the growth of a newborn. It’s better to keep an eye on the aforementioned symptoms. In case, you notice something unpleasant in the condition of your newborn baby, contact your doctor immediately. This is the first and foremost thing every new parents must keep in mind!”