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Non-Invasive Model of Neuropathogenic Escherichia coli Infection in the Neonatal Rat
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The newborn at risk for serious infections

M Radetsky1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Lovelace Health System, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.

Clinics in Perinatology
|July 1, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Early newborn discharge is safe if hospitals follow national guidelines. This practice does not increase the risk of serious infections like neonatal sepsis or herpes, provided risk factors are monitored.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal care
  • Infectious disease epidemiology

Background:

  • Early newborn discharge is a growing hospital trend.
  • Concerns exist regarding the potential for missed early signs of serious neonatal infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the risk of treatable neonatal infections with early discharge.
  • To determine if current early discharge practices endanger newborns.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing data on early-onset neonatal bacterial sepsis.
  • Analysis of data concerning neonatal herpes virus infection.

Main Results:

  • Early discharge does not appear to significantly increase the risk of serious treatable infections.
  • Adherence to conventional risk factors and national discharge criteria is crucial.

Conclusions:

  • Early newborn discharge can be a safe standard practice.
  • Vigilance for risk factors and adherence to discharge guidelines mitigate infection risks.

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