Can Early Changes in Vital signs Predict Duration of Antibiotic Therapy in Suspected Neonatal Sepsis?

Suspected sepsis remains a leading causes of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit admission, with infants often receiving 48-72 hours of empirical antibiotic therapy. Early in treatment it is difficult to predict infants who will require prolonged antibiotic therapy. Our aim was to assess if vital sign measurements in the initial period of treatment can predict those neonates requiring prolonged antibiotic therapy in term and late-preterm infants. Respiratory rate shows a weak positive correlation with antibiotic duration. Infants requiring prolonged therapy were more likely to have abnormal vital signs 12 hours after initiating antibiotic therapy. Changes in vital signs maybe useful in detecting infants who will require prolonged antibiotic therapy.
Source: Current Awareness Service for Health (CASH) - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news