What are the most common neonatal infections?
They are most often caused by viruses and parasites. Congenital infections include: HIV (which causes AIDS); rubella (German measles); chickenpox; syphilis; herpes; toxoplasmosis; and cytomegalovirus (CMV), the most common congenital infection and the leading cause of congenital hearing loss.
What is neonatal infection?
Neonatal infections are infections of the neonate (newborn) acquired during prenatal development or in the first four weeks of life (neonatal period). Neonatal infections may be contracted by mother to child transmission, in the birth canal during childbirth, or contracted after birth.
What are the types of neonatal sepsis?
Neonatal sepsis may be divided into two types: early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) and late-onset neonatal sepsis (LONS). EONS is typically described as infection and sepsis occurring within the first 24 hours to first week of life [1–3].
Why are neonates more susceptible to infection?
Premature babies are typically more vulnerable to infections because their immune systems are immature. The lack of antibodies and immunity in a premature baby’s immune system means they can’t fight off bacteria, viruses or fungi in the same way that full-term babies may be able to.
Why are neonates susceptible to infection?
What causes infection in premature babies?
Why do premature babies get infections so easily? Babies have an inexperienced immune system. They have not had time to build up their own antibodies to fight infection. Preemie babies get fewer antibodies from their mothers since most antibodies go across the placenta to the baby in the last few months of pregnancy.
How are neonates protected from infection?
Transplacentally transferred maternal antibodies contribute to early defense against pathogenic organisms in neonates. However, this passive protection is short lived and decays by the time a child is about 6 months of age.
