Review: What’s new in the management of neonatal early-onset sepsis?
Noa Fleiss, Kathleen Schwabenbauer, Tara M Randis, Richard A Polin
Archives of Disease in Childhood 2022
Correspondence to Dr Richard A Polin, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA; rap32@columbia.edu
Abstract
The expert guidelines highlighted in this review provide an evidence-based framework for approaching at-risk infants and allow for a more limited and standardised approach to antibiotic use. While these guidelines have significantly reduced antibiotic utilisation worldwide, optimally each unit would individualise their approach to early onset sepsis (EOS) based on the neonatal population they serve and available resources. As advancements in EOS research continue and limitations with sepsis prediction tools are addressed, it is inevitable that our risk stratification and management guidelines will become more precise.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2021-323532
COMMENT (NPW): The full text starts 'The management and diagnosis of early onset sepsis (EOS) in term and preterm infants continues to evolve with wide variation in practice globally.' but continues by describing UK and USA guidelines. I would like to invite child health professionals in other countries to describe their experience. I note that WHO has a guideline 'Managing possible serious bacterial infection in young infants when referral is not feasible' (2015). Such a guideline is critically important, but I could not find a complementary guideline on managing possible serious bacterial infection in young infants in a referral hospital setting.
Dr Neil Pakenham-Walsh, HIFA Coordinator
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