Table 1 Clinical signs of neonatal sepsis and risk factors for nosocomial transmission
Clinical signs | Data |
|---|---|
Respiratory | Tachypnea (> 70 breaths/min in preterm babies, > 60 breaths/min in neonates at term) |
Subcostal and/or intercostal retractions | |
Grunting | |
Apnea > 10 seconds | |
Hemodynamic | Cyanosis |
Pallor | |
Hypotension (blood pressure < 2 SD of the mean for age and weight) | |
Tachycardia (> 180 beats/min) | |
Bradycardia (< 100 beats/min in preterm babies, < 80 beats/min in neonates at term) | |
Poor peripheral perfusion | |
Digestive | Rejection of food |
Vomiting | |
Abdominal distention | |
Hepatomegaly | |
Hematologic | Anemia (hemoglobin < 10 g/dL in preterm babies, < 11 g/dL in neonates at term) |
Jaundice (yellowish staining) | |
Petechiae | |
Echymoses | |
Risk factors for infection | Endotracheal intubation |
Central venous catheter | |
Parenteral nutrition | |
Nasogastric tube | |
Urinary catheter | |
Use of methylxantines | |
Postnatal use of corticosteroids | |
Ventriculoperitoneal shunt catheter | |
Artificial feeding | |
Previous surgical operation |