Journal of Neonatal Biology

Early onset sepsis of the newborn: Antimicrobial stewardship tools and challenges

20^th International Conference on Neonatology and Perinatology

December 04-06, 2017 | Madrid, Spain

Staci Warren

Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center, U.S.A

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Neonatal Biol

Abstract:

Early Onset Sepsis of the newborn remains a diagnostic challenge due to its nonspecific presenation, rarity, and high associated mortality without prompt treatment. However, current guidelines may lead to the treatment of many uninfected infants, which opens the door to potential medication adverse effects, development of antimicrobial resistance, separation of mother and infant, as well as increased health care costs. After its initial development and publication, the Kaiser-Permanente neonatal sepsis calculator has been studied for its ability to safely lower antibiotic use in the neonatal population. The sepsis calculator is designed to use objective data available at birth to give infants �?� 34 weeks of age a calculated risk score of bacterial sepsis, and offers monitoring and treatment recommendations based on the evolving clinical status of the neonate. This presentation will review recent advances in management of early onset sepsis using the sepsis risk calculator, and challenges to further improving antimicrobial stewardship in the neonatal population.