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Enteric infectious disease in neonates. Epidemiology, pathogenesis, and a practical approach to evaluation and
1Department of Infectious Diseases, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri.
Insights
Bacterial and viral pathogens cause newborn enteric disease with varied symptoms, from asymptomatic to sepsis. Recognizing clinical signs and lab results is key for treatment and infection control in all newborns.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Enteric diseases in newborns are caused by diverse bacterial and viral pathogens.
- These pathogens exhibit varied mechanisms affecting the intestinal epithelium.
- Clinical presentations range from asymptomatic to severe sepsis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of recognizing clinical syndromes associated with neonatal enteric disease.
- To emphasize the need for accurate interpretation of laboratory results for effective management.
- To underscore the applicability of these principles to both premature and full-term infants.
Main Methods:
- This study is a review of existing literature on neonatal enteric pathogens.
- It focuses on the clinical manifestations and diagnostic approaches.
- The principles discussed are based on established medical knowledge.
Main Results:
- A wide spectrum of clinical findings is associated with neonatal enteric infections.
- Effective management hinges on accurate clinical syndrome recognition.
- Laboratory result interpretation is crucial for targeted therapy and infection control.
Conclusions:
- Prompt and accurate diagnosis of enteric pathogens in newborns is essential.
- Appropriate infection control measures are vital to prevent disease spread.
- Understanding pathogen mechanisms aids in tailoring treatment strategies for affected infants.
Abstract:
There are many bacterial and viral pathogens that have been associated with enteric disease during the newborn period. These pathogens have widely different mechanisms of action on the intestinal epithelium and are associated with a spectrum of clinical findings. Infected infants can be asymptomatic, have gastroenteritis, or have a fulminant sepsis picture. To determine therapy and institute appropriate infection control measures requires the ability to recognize the clinical syndrome and correctly interpret laboratory results. All of these principles can be applied to the premature infant in the neonatal intensive care nursery as well as the full-term infant at home.