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The role of immunodeficiency in the development of postoperative bacterial sepsis and wound infections in neonates

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Abstract

Newborn infants are predisposed to bacterial invasion. Several defects in antibacterial host immunity have been reported that are relevant to the management of the neonate requiring surgical intervention. Defects in the quantities and function of immunoglobulins, complement components, and neutrophils are described that, in combination, render neonates immunocompromised. Consequently, neonates are susceptible to infection with bacteria that are usually of low virulence such as coagulase-negative staphylococci. Coagulase-negative staphylococci are usually resistant to both ampicillin and gentamicin, the antibiotics most commonly used for perioperative prophylaxis in neonates. Since the neonate is an immunocompromised host, controlled trials should be conducted to determine the optimal choice, dose, and duration of prophylactic antibiotics required to minimize postoperative infection while also minimizing superinfections resulting from antibiotic usage.

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  1. Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, 40292, Louisville, KY, USA

    Herbert A. Lassiter

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Correspondence to: Herbert A. Lassiter

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Lassiter, H.A. The role of immunodeficiency in the development of postoperative bacterial sepsis and wound infections in neonates. Pediatr Surg Int 9, 474–478 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00179444

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