BMJ  2004;329 (27 November), doi:10.1136/bmj.329.7477.0-b

Infections kill preterm infants

Systemic infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants. Early onset infections are rare, but they present with signs of sepsis, such as respiratory distress or fever in the first 12 hours after birth, and need antibiotic treatment, say McGuire and colleagues (p 1277). Late onset infections are more common, mostly caused by Gram positive organisms, and can start insidiously. Fungal infections are challenging. Despite antimicrobial treatment, morbidity is high for all types of infections, and new prevention and treatment strategies are needed.

Credit: BSIP LAURENT/SPL


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Relevant Article

Infection in the preterm infant
William McGuire, Linda Clerihew, and Peter W Fowlie
BMJ 2004 329: 1277-1280. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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