Publication

Abstract : Neonatal sepsis is associated with increased mortality and morbidity including neurodevelopmental impairment and prolongation of hospital stay. Clinical features of sepsis are non-specific in neonates and a high index of suspicion is required for timely diagnosis. Antibiotics are a very important group of drugs for the sick neonate and have undoubtedly played a role in their improved survival. But they come with a set of risks like other drugs used in critical care which must be carefully considered and weighed against the benefits in any decision to commence antibiotics. Prophylactic antibiotics are not indicated in almost all situations in neonatology. There is high level ofevidence to show that they are not useful for the prevention of infection following umbilical vessel or central venous catheterization. Traditionally, the selection of antibiotics for empirical therapy is based on the local policy, and the duration of therapy is decided by the treating physician based on clinical symptoms and blood culture results. In this paper, we discuss briefly about the causative organisms of neonatal sepsis in both the developed and developing countries; with a special focus on antibiotic therapy in neonateswith suspected sepsis, culture proven sepsis, and meningitis.