There are several medical conditions that newborns are prone to like sepsis in babies. This may be due to some bacterial infection in some parts of the body such as the lungs and the intestines. At times it may also occur in other body systems including the skin. Sepsis in babies may cause their immune system to attack and destroy their own organs as well as tissues. This happens when the newborn’s body starts fighting severe infection which causes it to over-react. The condition may also develop because of the presence of too much toxins in the body.
Sepsis in babies produces toxins that may affect not only the newborns’ temperature but also their heart rate and their blood pressure. This condition can become very serious because as it can affect body organs like the kidneys, the lungs, the brain and others. At times, sepsis in babies can also be fatal. Although most of those affected by this condition are babies, there are also instances when people may be affected whatever their age may be especially those who have very low resistance to infections.
Sepsis in babies is spread though the bloodstream so all organs in the body may be affected in a very short time. It is then important that babies get the proper treatment as soon as possible for their health safety. Newborns that will have fever should be diagnosed and treated immediately though it may be a little difficult to check if the symptoms are really indicating sepsis in babies.
The causes of sepsis in babies may include bacteria, viruses as well as fungi or parasites. Babies may even get the infection as they pass through the birth canal or the genital tract during the labor stage prior to delivery. Other babies may be infected because of their contact with other people right after birth. Pregnancy complications such as bleeding, difficult delivery, infections in the uterus, premature rupture of the amniotic sac as well as fever in the mother may also contribute to sepsis in babies.
Premature infants may also develop sepsis in babies while they are being cared for at the intensive care unit. Hospital-acquired infections are also possible especially when babies have very low birth weight and very weak immune system. Sepsis in babies can be a life-threatening condition so utmost care and caution should be observed. Newborns especially premature babies are more prone to this health problem. Though treatment for sepsis in babies is possible, there are lots of factors that need to be considered like age, health and medical history, tolerance to medicines, expected outcome as well as the opinions of the parents.
