Neonatal sepsis: within and beyond China
Ying Dong1, Romain Basmaci2,3, Luigi Titomanlio4
1Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China.
Chinese Medical Journal
|August 23, 2020
Summary
Neonatal sepsis in China presents unique challenges, with early-onset sepsis differing from developed nations. Understanding local epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance is crucial for optimizing care and preventing multi-drug resistant bacteria.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Sepsis is a major cause of illness and death in newborns in China.
- Comparing Chinese neonatal sepsis with global data can improve care regionally and worldwide.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and update the epidemiology, pathogens, diagnosis, and treatment of neonatal sepsis in China.
- To compare neonatal sepsis in China with industrialized and non-industrialized countries.
Main Methods:
- Literature review using PubMed with keywords: "neonatal sepsis," "early-onset (EOS)," and "late-onset (LOS)."
- Focus on population-based studies.
Main Results:
- Early-onset sepsis incidence and Group B Streptococcus (GBS) proportion in China may differ from developed countries.
- Late-onset sepsis pathogen profiles are similar globally, but viral causes are underrecognized.
- Antimicrobial resistance is growing in China, linked to antibiotic regimen and treatment duration.
Conclusions:
- Local neonatal sepsis epidemiology requires continuous monitoring.
- Prompt and thorough infectious work-up is vital for diagnosis.
- Appropriate antibiotic strategies are essential to combat multi-resistant bacteria.
