Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026

A Neonatal Imaging Model of Gram-Negative Bacterial Sepsis
Published on: August 12, 2020
Neonatal neutropenia associated with maternal hypertension poses a risk for nosocomial infection
1Department of Neonatology, Mater Mothers' Hospital, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Unlabelled:
One hundred and six neonates of 24-32 weeks gestation born to hypertensive mothers and 106 concurrent control infants of normotensive mothers were evaluated to determine the relationship between maternal hypertension and neonatal neutropenia and the risk of nosocomial infection developing in neutropenic infants. Complete blood counts were performed on both cohorts and retrospectively evaluated. Neutropenia was diagnosed using published reference ranges for infants with birth weight <1500 g and > 1500 g. Evidence of nosocomial infection based on a positive blood culture with supportive clinical signs of sepsis was documented. The incidence of neutropenia among infants of hypertensive mothers was not significantly different from that among infants of normotensive mothers (21% vs 24%), but the duration of neutropenia was significantly longer in the infants of hypertensive mothers (P = 0.0001). Nosocomial infection was more frequent in neutropenic than the non-neutropenic hypertensive mothers' infants (55% vs 12%, P = 0.0002).
Conclusion:
Although there is no difference in the incidence of neonatal neutropenia between infants of hypertensive mothers and those of normotensive mothers, the former group has an increased risk of nosocomial infection in neutropenic infants of hypertensive mothers. This may be related to prolonged neutropenia which was found in these infants in the present study.
Related Concept Videos
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...
Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies. Common...
Acute Pyelonephritis I: Introduction
Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management
Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction
Development of the Oral Microbiota

