Causes, prevention and treatment of congenital pneumonia in newborns

A complication during the labour or delivery process can increase the risk for an infant to have respiratory distress or conditions that mimic congenital pneumonia.

Experts reveal that to prevent congenital pneumonia, proper management of maternal conditions that can result in an increased risk of infection in neonates should be taken. They include:

Causes

According to doctors, congenital pneumonia is mostly caused by bacterial pathogens associated with early onset sepsis (life-threatening reaction to an infection). If the mother has had bacterial or viral diseases such as hepatitis viruses, herpes, gonorrhea or syphilis, the newborn's risk of catching pneumonia are increased.

Premature onset of labour under 37 weeks of gestation, prolonged or premature rupture of membranes, maternal fever and others can also result in congenital pneumonia.

A complication during the labour or delivery process can also increase the risk for an infant to have respiratory distress or conditions that mimic congenital pneumonia.

Prevention

Antenatal tests should be able to prevent congenital pneumonia according to doctors.

Experts say expectant mothers who have had a previous child infected with invasive GBS disease, a rare disorder where the body's immune system damages nerves, should be counseled about the importance of sharing this information in the medical history in all the subsequent pregnancies as the newborn or infant should be kept under observation, screened and treated for at least 48 hours after delivery.