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Neonatal infection — initial response 🚨 👶
Suspected neonatal infection — first assessment 🚨 👶
Neonates may have invasive bacterial infection without fever; maternal risk factors, altered feeding and subtle changes in behaviour can be more informative than a single vital sign.
🔎 Recognise
Poor feeding, lethargy, abnormal temperature, apnoea, grunting, respiratory distress, seizures or unexplained jaundice may signal neonatal sepsis. Ask age in hours/days and birth history.
🛟 First actions
Obtain immediate neonatal/paediatric senior review, assess airway and perfusion, and follow the local NICE NG195 assessment and antibiotics pathway. Stabilisation and timely treatment take precedence over perfect sampling.
🧪 Investigations and reassessment
Record maternal infection and membrane-rupture history, observations, capillary glucose and relevant cultures. Follow neonatal-specific guidance; antibiotic course decisions depend on clinical progress and culture results.
⚠️ Common pitfalls and escalation
Do not apply ordinary adult NEWS2 criteria or paediatric drug doses to a newborn. Hypothermia can signify serious infection, and a normal early CRP does not exclude it.
UK reference: NICE NG195 (amended May 2026). Focused editorial source check, 7 November 2026; this is not independent clinical or pharmacy sign-off. Verify current local policy, BNF/BNFC and specialist advice before treatment. Not a prescribing protocol.
Related guides: Febrile infant under three months 🚨 👶 · Sick Child/Neonate
| The content on this website is provided for educational and informational purposes only to support exam preparation (e.g., MLA, MRCP, USMLE) and learning. This is NOT medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional guidance. It does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional, official guidelines (e.g., NICE, GMC, BNF), or supervised clinical practice. Always verify information with current, authoritative sources. Makindo and its contributors accept no liability for any reliance on this content, including errors, omissions, or any resulting harm, loss, or consequences. By using this site, you agree to these terms. |
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