Recognition and management of sepsis in early infancy
Joanna Barnden Fifth-year medical student, University of Bristol, Bristol
Vanessa Diamond Practice development facilitator and neonatal lead nurse, special care baby unit, Torbay Hospital, Torquay
Paul Anthony Heaton Consultant paediatrician, Yeovil District Hospital, Yeovil
Siba Prosad Paul Consultant paediatrician, Torbay Hospital, Torquay
Serious bacterial and viral infections occurring in early infancy are important factors affecting morbidity and mortality. Recognition of sepsis by healthcare professionals is vital and allows initiation of appropriate early treatment which can be life-saving and improve outcomes for these infants greatly. This article outlines the leading causes of sepsis, for example, group B Streptococcus (GBS), Escherichia coli and herpes simplex virus. We discuss the non-specific ways in which an infant with a serious infection may present to health professionals and highlight crucial features to look for in the history and during examination of an unwell infant, and these include ‘red-flag’ signs and symptoms that should be carefully elicited. A systematic approach for the management of an infant with suspected sepsis based on up-to-date evidence and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE 2012) recommendations are discussed. Implications for nursing practice are also included, with a summary of sepsis in early infancy to aid the continued professional development of nurses working with young children in clinical settings.
Nursing Children and Young People.
28, 10, 36-45.
doi: 10.7748/ncyp.2016.e775
Correspondence
siba.paul@nhs.net
Peer review
This article has been subject to open peer review and has been checked for plagiarism using automated software
Conflict of interest
None declared
Received: 19 March 2016
Accepted: 02 September 2016
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