What causes sepsis?
Sepsis can develop following infection by microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Infection in babies can be contracted during pregnancy, from the mother’s genital tract during labor and delivery, or after birth from contact with others. Sepsis in a newborn is more likely to develop when the mother has had pregnancy complications that increase the likelihood of infection. Such complications may include the following: • premature rupture of the membranes (amniotic sac), or membrane rupture for an extended length of time • bleeding problems • a difficult delivery • infection in the uterus or placental tissues • fever in the mother Babies can also develop sepsis by contracting infections after birth from infected persons or objects. Babies in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) are at increased risk for acquiring nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections. Many babies in the NICU are premature or have low birthweight which makes them more susceptible to infecti
