Sepsis in newborns

Sepsis is a reaction of the body to widespread infection. It's a serious illness that needs to be treated in a hospital.

Newborns can get sepsis because their immune systems aren't very strong yet. This makes it hard to fight off some infections, such as group B streptococcus, E. coli, herpes, or pneumococcus.

Your baby's doctor will quickly test for the cause of your baby's infection and then treat it.

Your baby may need special care, such as being in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This may be scary for you. But the hospital staff understands this. They will explain what happens and will answer your questions.

Your baby will get antibiotics if the infection is caused by bacteria. The medicine may be given into a blood vessel. This may be done through a vein in the belly button or in another location.

Sepsis can lower blood pressure. So your baby may also get medicine to help raise their blood pressure.