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A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development
Published on: June 24, 2020
Perinatal infection: diagnosis, treatment, and prevention
Insights
Neonatal bacterial infections, both acute and chronic, pose significant risks. Early recognition of subtle behavioral changes is crucial for prompt diagnosis and aggressive treatment to prevent severe outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Bacterial infections are common in newborns, acquired from maternal or environmental sources.
- Neonates, particularly premature infants, may not exhibit clear symptoms, making early detection challenging.
- Chronic congenital and perinatal infections can be asymptomatic, leading to delayed diagnosis and insidious injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of recognizing bacterial infections in neonates.
- To differentiate between acute and chronic neonatal infections.
- To emphasize the need for aggressive diagnostic and treatment strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical presentations of neonatal infections.
- Discussion of routes of acquisition and potential sources.
- Analysis of the impact of infections on neonatal health and development.
Main Results:
- Acute bacterial infections often present with subtle behavioral changes in neonates.
- Chronic infections can lead to long-term neurological and perceptual handicaps.
- Both acute and chronic infections are associated with significant mortality and morbidity.
Conclusions:
- Aggressive diagnosis and treatment are essential for managing neonatal bacterial infections.
- Vigilance for subtle signs is critical, especially in premature infants.
- Prompt intervention can mitigate severe outcomes and long-term disabilities.
Abstract:
The majority of clinically recognizable acute infections in the neonate are bacterial. Such infections may be acquired from the mother prior to or at birth or from environmental sources. Because of the limited ability of neonates--especially those born prematurely--to express symptoms, even minor deviations from normal behavior should suggest bacterial disease. Chronic congenital and perinatal infections, unlike acute bacterial disease, are generally asymptomatic in mother and neonate and may remain latent or subclinically active in host tissue for prolonged periods, possibly causing insidious injury to the central nervous and perceptual systems. When overt, these infections almost invariably cause mental or perceptual handicaps or both. In view of the significant mortality and morbidity associated with either acute or chronic infections, diagnosis and treatment should be aggressive.
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