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Recurrent InfectionsWhen fever appears, it’s a warning sign for the mother. The first indication that something is wrong is the rise in the baby's body temperature. Infection is nothing more than a consequence of a buildup of bacteria or diseases caused by viruses. Treatment should be prescribed by a doctor, but if the disease is recurrent, meaning it happens repeatedly, it is best to investigate what is happening.
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The most common infection in newborns is one that is acquired while still in the mother’s womb. Some women may experience premature rupture of membranes, which creates an opportunity for bacteria to enter and cause infections, especially in the lungs (amnionitis). Amnionitis occurs when the baby's environment becomes contaminated and, by ingesting and coming into contact with these microorganisms, the baby develops an excess of secretion in the lungs that makes breathing outside the womb difficult.
Neonatal infections can also occur due to meconium present in the amniotic fluid. By ingesting and being surrounded by feces, the baby tends to develop infectious diseases and low oxygenation. Listeriosis is another infection passed from mother to child that can manifest aggressively in the fetus and may lead to death if not treated. Also transmitted from mother to baby, herpes is another type of infant infection. It causes serious infection in important organs such as the brain, heart, and lungs.
Another possibility for newborn infection is diseases acquired once the baby leaves the hospital and goes home. Although babies receive antibodies against diseases and infections from breast milk, if the baby has siblings, they may become susceptible to contact-borne illnesses. These infections can also be acquired through poor hand hygiene, contact with sick people, saliva, and airborne bacteria.
Many of these diseases are like conjunctivitis, which can be contracted by passing through the birth canal, and are common in the mother’s vaginal flora. This infection in the baby typically appears between five and fourteen days after birth and causes purulent discharge and pain in the newborn's eyes. The newborn may also be born already infected from the mother with cytomegalovirus, congenital syphilis, and tuberculosis.
Meningitis (inflammation of the membranes around the brain) is one of the infectious diseases that pose a danger to babies and newborns, especially those of low birth weight. Babies with this infection usually develop it as a consequence of other more severe infections such as sepsis.
Infections in babies like pneumonia also cause problems. The main symptoms are persistent cough, fever, and in some cases, wheezing. Pneumonia occurs through contagion with bacteria that lead to this infection. It's important for mothers to remember that a persistent moderate to high fever for more than three days should be investigated by a doctor.
Another type of contracted disease is sepsis, an infection in babies that is common in those who require some surgical procedure shortly after birth. The bacteria can enter the body as a hospital-acquired infection and then spread to other organs, causing a generalized infection. This is certainly the most complicated infection scenario in newborns and babies.
Urinary tract infection affects babies of all ages and the diagnosis is more complicated because certain symptoms need to be present for the doctor to suspect it. Fever, urine with a strong odor, and deeper colors are some of the symptoms.
Treatment for a large part of infections in newborns and babies is with antibiotics, either intravenously or orally, through hospitalization or at home. The pediatrician will prescribe the best medicine and the most effective treatment for each illness the baby may have.
Photos: Samuel King Jr, Tom & Katrien
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