Neonatal infections are infections that occur while the mother is still pregnant. These infections can permanently affect the baby. Generally, neonatal infections are bacterial infections. Often, the mother-to-be experiences symptoms and makes an appointment to visit with her doctor. The problem? Sometimes there is a failure to diagnose the infection. This puts the baby at risk, especially when the infection is a serious one, such as Group B Strep or meningitis.
Common neonatal infections include:
- Meningitis
- Pneumonia
- Pyelonephritis
In short, a neonatal infection is any sort of bacterial infection in the mother’s blood. The mother’s body provides blood to the baby in the womb. These invasive infections can cause the baby to become sick or to develop neonatal sepsis.