children s health issues
Sepsis in Newborns
Diagnosis of Sepsis in Newborns
Cultures of blood and sometimes urine Spinal tap with culture of the spinal fluid Doctors diagnose sepsis based on the newborn’s symptoms and the results of tests. Doctors do several tests, including blood tests, to try to determine the specific bacterium, virus, or fungus that is causing the infection. A blood culture, sometimes a urine culture, and a Spinal Tap (lumbar puncture) are also done. For cultures, doctors take samples of blood, spinal fluid, and urine and try to grow (culture) the bacteria in the samples in the laboratory and identify it. Newborns with breathing problems undergo a chest x-ray. 