Newborn babies are particularly
prone to infections due to their inability to fight organisms due to a  immune system. They can be affected by
bacteria, viruses, and rarely fungus which can spread in their blood and causes
symptoms of infection.
What are the symptoms of
infection?
The symptoms are common to all
forms of infection in newborns. They can develop poor feeding, become less
responsive, high or low temperature, unusual crying, irritability, breathing
difficulties to name a few.
Investigations
The baby will need various
investigations like blood tests, urine tests, tests of spinal fluid, X-rays,
and occasionally ultrasound scans. The doctor attending to the baby will be the
best person to decide which tests are relevant.
Treatment
The baby will be treated with
antibiotics to fight the infection. These antibiotics will be given
intravenously through a vein for a few days. Different infections will need
different lengths of treatment and duration of stay in the hospital.