Systemic infection in infants ≤28 days; early-onset <72 h (vertical: GBS, E. coli, Listeria), late-onset >72 h (nosocomial, CONS).
Clinical features
- • Temperature instability
- • Poor feeding, lethargy
- • Respiratory distress, apnoea
- • Jaundice <24 h, mottled skin, capillary refill >3 s
Investigations
- • FBC, CRP, blood culture, glucose, lactate
- • LP if any suspicion of meningitis or unwell
- • Urine culture, CXR if respiratory symptoms
Management
- • Early-onset: IV benzylpenicillin 60 mg/kg + gentamicin 5 mg/kg
- • Late-onset: flucloxacillin (or vancomycin if line) + gentamicin
- • Reassess at 36 h with cultures + CRP
References
- • NICE NG195 Neonatal infection 2021
Educational — verify locally.
