What is Neonatal Septicaemia?
Neonatal septicaemia is a bloodstream infection occurring in newborn babies. The bacteria that cause it are similar to those causing neonatal pneumonia and meningitis. It is a serious condition requiring urgent hospital care.
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Management
Supportive Care:
- Keep the baby warm
- For high fever, control the environment by undressing the baby; avoid using paracetamol
- Prevent low blood sugar by breastfeeding if possible, or using a feeding tube (NGT) or intravenous glucose
- Ensure hydration and nutrition
- Provide oxygen if the oxygen saturation is below 90%
First Line Treatment:
- Ampicillin 50 mg/kg IV every 6 hours
- Gentamicin 5 mg/kg IV every 24 hours
- Duration: 10 days
If there is risk of Staphylococcus infection (e.g., infected umbilical stump or multiple skin pustules):
- Give cloxacillin 50 mg/kg IV or IM every 6 hours
- Continue gentamicin 5-7 mg/kg every 24 hours
- Clean infected umbilicus and pustules, apply gentian violet
If no improvement after 48-72 hours:
- Change ampicillin to ceftriaxone 100 mg/kg once daily
