Unnecessary exposure to antibiotics and invasive procedures can be avoided by a test. Running a lab test can help identify the diagnoses of neonatal sepsis and the cause of the infection. A blood test may include blood culture, C-reactive protein, complete blood count (CBC). This exam will help if the infant has symptoms of sepsis, and a lumbar puncture (spinal tab) will be done to look at the spinal fluid for bacterial infection or other infections. The clinician may order other tests such as skin, stool and urine culture if the mother has a history the of herpes virus. A chest x-ray might be done to verify if the baby has a cough or difficulty with breathing (Maryniak,
Unnecessary exposure to antibiotics and invasive procedures can be avoided by a test. Running a lab test can help identify the diagnoses of neonatal sepsis and the cause of the infection. A blood test may include blood culture, C-reactive protein, complete blood count (CBC). This exam will help if the infant has symptoms of sepsis, and a lumbar puncture (spinal tab) will be done to look at the spinal fluid for bacterial infection or other infections. The clinician may order other tests such as skin, stool and urine culture if the mother has a history the of herpes virus. A chest x-ray might be done to verify if the baby has a cough or difficulty with breathing (Maryniak,