Challenges in the Diagnosis of Sepsis of the Neonate

Despite the advances in neonatal care early onset neonatal sepsis remains a serious and potentially life-threatening disease with a mortality rate ranging from 1.5% in term to almost 40% in very low birth weight infants. [1,2] The signs and symptoms of neonatal sepsis may be subtle and nonspecific being clinically indistinguishable from various noninfectious conditions such as respiratory distress syndrome or maladaptation. The current practice of starting empirical antibiotic therapy in all neonates showing infection-like symptoms results in their exposure to adverse drug effects, nosocomial complications, and in the emergence of resistant strains. [3] Accurate and quick diagnosis is therefore essential for both protecting the infant from the consequences of the bacterial invasion and preventing damages deriving from the unnecessary use of antibiotics.