Need of Neonatal Sepsis Surveillance in India

Excerpt

Systemic infections are the second most common direct cause of neonatal mortality [1]. Sepsis and meningitis also contribute to neonatal deaths due to other direct causes like prematurity, birth asphyxia, and congenital malformations. Hospital-acquired infection (HAI) is a common complication during care of preterm or sick neonates in neonatal units, and is associated with high case-fatality rate, prolonged hospitalization, use of higher generation antibiotics, and adverse neurological outcome [2, 3]. Yet, most neonatal units in low- and middle-income countries may lack a formal monitoring mechanism or systematic strategic response to contain HAIs [4]. In this issue of the journal, Balachander et al. present successful implementation of a quality improvement project targeted at monitoring and containment of infection outbreaks [5]. The study highlights the importance of following a systematic approach for detection and control of an infection outbreak. Important steps followed in the study included 1) surveillance by case definition and listing, 2) cohorting of infected and colonized cases, 3) identification of source of infection and 4) strengthening of infection control practices. …