Neonatal sepsis is any infection involving an infant during the first 28 days of life. Neonatal sepsis is also known as "sepsis neonatorum." The infection may involve the infant globally or may be limited to just one organ (such as the lungs with pneumonia ). It may be acquired prior to birth ( intrauterine sepsis) or after birth ( extrauterine sepsis). Viral (such as herpes , rubella [German measles ]), bacterial (such as group B strep ) and more rarely fungal (such as Candida) causes may be implicated. During her pregnancy , a woman's obstetrician is constantly monitoring the health of both of the pregnant woman and her fetus for any signs or symptoms that might indicate sepsis. Prior to birth, many indicators can signal that a potential infection is developing. Women are screened for infectious diseases at their first OB office visit. Some of these include HIV , gono...
