Infectious Diseases and HIV Conference

Neonatal infections are classified into two; the first one which involves less than 72 hours, and late onset, which extend after this period of time. Usual bacteria causing this infection include Group B Streptococcus as well as Escherichia coli, while viral agents are cytomegalovirus.

This lecture would present the clinical presentation and pathophysiology of such infections underlining the need for early detection and intervention. Several causes lead to neonatal infections, such as maternal health problems, prematurity, and the type of delivery.

Participants will learn the clinical signs and symptoms that can suggest an infection in neonates and that proper evaluation must be followed by proper management as early as possible. This session will also tackle the very issues encountered in the diagnosis of infections when this population has a nonspecific presentation and a very minimal symptomatology. Management of neonatal infections should be the responsibility of a multispecialty group of neonatologists, pediatricians, and nursing staff.

This lecture would update the participants regarding the contemporary treatment guidelines, such as broad-spectrum antibiotics and supportive care. The participants will gain knowledge about the importance of formulating individualized treatment plans based on the causative pathogen and clinical condition of the neonate.

Prevention of neonatal infection will help improve health outcomes. This presentation includes the best practices in prevention: before birth-prenatal care, maternal screening; in the labor process-hygienic practices in the neonatal unit; and vaccination and postnatal care, which reduces the chance of contracting infections for newborns.

Discussion by the session will lead to how future directions in research are laying the framework for neonatal infections and include advances in diagnostic techniques and development of targeted therapies and the exploration of influences that micro biome has over neonatal health.

The participants will understand how efforts in improving strategies and outcomes in at-risk newborn populations are working.