Common infections of neonate – Health of the children has been considered as the vital importance to all societies because children are the basic resource for the future of humankind. Nursing care of children is concerned for both the health of the children and for the illnesses that affect their growth and development. The increasing complexity of medical and nursing science has created a need for special area of child care, i.e. pediatric nursing.
Pediatric nursing is the specialized area of nursing practice concerning the care of children during wellness and illness. It includes preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative care of children. It emphasizes on all round development of body, mind and spirit of the growing individual. Thus, pediatric nursing involves in giving assistance, care and support to the growing and developing children to achieve their individual potential for functioning with fullest capacity.
Common infections of neonate
Common infections in the neonate:
Infection by bacteria constitutes a common morbidity and accounts for nearly one-third of total neonatal deaths. Infections can be-
1. Superficial infections.
2. Systemic infections (neonatal sepsis).
Superficial infections:
1. Omphalitis.
2. Local infection.
3. Oral thrush
4. Conjunctivitis.
Systemic infections (neonatal sepsis):
Systemic bacterial infections are known by the generic term neonatal sepsis (NNS), which
incorporates –
1. Septicemia
2. Pneumonia.
3. Meningitis
[Ref-Vinod Paul/8/162-163]
Predisposing factos for neonatal infection:
1. Low birth weight/prematurity.
2. Contaminated environments in uterus.
3. Infected birth passages- Infected postnatal environments.
4. Congenital anomalies.
5. Hospital procedures.
6. Artificial feeding.
7. Male sex.
[Ref-Suraj Gupta/110/220]
Common sites of neonatal infection:
The neonatal infections may occur as superficial & localized or systemic. The common sites of infections are-
- Eve: Neonatal conjunctivitis.
- Skin: Rashes & pustules, pyoderma
- Umbilicus: Umbilical sepsis (Omphalitis).
- Oral cavity: Oral thrush.
- Systemic infection include-septicemia, meningitis, pneumonia, tetanus neonatorum, DIC (Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy), Pyelonephritis etc.
Prevention of neonatal infection:
This may be attained by the following measures:
1. Barrier technique in the nursery.
2. Minimal handiing and hand washing by the staff/attendants.
3. Colonization of the neonate.
4. Cleaning of the nursery.
5. Cleaning and disinfection of the nursery equipment’
6. Surveillance of nursery flora, especially at the time of outbreak of an infection.
7. Antibiotic prophylaxis.
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