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Do not miss sepsis in babies thatpresent with fever

Contents
  1. Read book excerpt
  2. Mononucleosis: Introduction
  3. Mononucleosis Misdiagnosis
  4. Mononucleosis Complications
  5. Mononucleosis Treatments
  6. Latest treatments
  7. Clinical trials
  8. Diagnosis of Mononucleosis
  9. Mononucleosis Overview
  10. More book excerpts for Mononucleosis

Do not miss sepsis in babies thatpresent with fever: Excerpt from Avoiding Common Pediatric Errors

Author: Cynthia Gibson, MD

What to Do - Interpret the Data

Evaluation and treatment of a neonate for possible bacterial infection and sepsis is one of the most common pediatric practices. Signs and symptoms of sepsis in a neonate are quite broad and include respiratory distress, lethargy or irritability, fever or hypothermia, hypo-or hyperglycemia, acidosis, hypotonia, poor feeding apnea, cyanosis, seizures, poor perfusion, shock, unexplained jaundice, or simply "not looking well." Ten percent of full-term babies with fever not due to environmental causes may have bacterial sepsis.

Because the neonate's response to sepsis is generic and often confusing, a systematic approach that does not vary is important for assuring that all infants with potential sepsis are identified. Evaluation of a neonate with fever should include a complete history and physical. Laboratory investigations include a complete blood cell count with a white blood cell differential, blood culture, urine culture, and lumbar puncture. Other potentially useful tests may include a chest x-ray, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and a bacterial antigen profile. Although the large proportion of septic workups in infants are negative, the method exists to assure that thosebabieswithpotentiallydevastatingmeningitisareidentifiedandtreated early. Treatment should begin as soon as possible and include antibiotics that cover organisms commonly found in the neonatal period, including group B streptococci and Escherichia coli.

Suggested Readings

Bergman DA, Mayer ML, Pantell RH, et al. Does clinical presentation explain practice vari ability in the treatment of febrile infants? Pediatrics. 2006;117:787–795.
Gerdes JS. Diagnosis and management of bacterial infections in the neonate. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2004;51:939–959.
Van den Bruel A, Bruyninckx R, Vermeire E, et al. Signs and symptoms in children with a serious infection: a qualitative study. BMC Fam Pract. 2005;6:36.

Book Source Details

  • Book Title: Avoiding Common Pediatric Errors
  • Author(s): Anthony D Slonim MD, DrPH; Lisa Marcucci MD
  • Year of Publication: 2008
  • Copyright Details: Avoiding Common Pediatric Errors, Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

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Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.



More About This Book:
Title: Avoiding Common Pediatric Errors
Authors: Anthony D Slonim MD, DrPH; Lisa Marcucci MD
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Copyright: 2008
ISBN: 0-7817-7489-6

 » Next page: Fever and Petechiae (The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult)

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