Neonatal Sepsis

Neonatal sepsis is caused by bacteria. The infant may come in contact with bacteria during pregnancy, birth, or from the environment after birth. Early onset sepsis is caused by an infection from the mother. It may pass to the infant from the placenta or birth canal during birth. Antibiotics may be given to high risk mothers, during labor. They have been able to prevent early onset bacterial sepsis in some infants. Late onset sepsis is caused by bacteria from the caregiving environment.

Some risk factors that increases the infant’s chanc e of developing neonatal sepsis are premature birth, early labor, fetal distress, low birth weight, meconium aspiration syndrome, fever or infection of mother prior to labor and presence of group B streptococcal in vaginal or rectal areas. Symptoms observed in infant’s suffering from neonatal sepsis are fever, difficulty breathing, lethargy, poor feeding, diarrhea, skin rashes, jaundiced, anormal heratbeat, bruising or bleeding and seizures.

TRUST VS. MISTRUST
The first stage of Erikson's theory of psychosocial development occurs between birth and one year of age and is the most fundamental stage in life. Because an infant is utterly dependent, the development of trust is based on the dependability and quality of the child's caregivers. If a child successfully develops trust, he or she will feel safe and secure in the world. Caregivers who are inconsistent, emotionally unavailable, or rejecting contribute to feelings of mistrust in the children they care for. Failure to develop trust will result in fear and a belief that the world is inconsistent and unpredictable.

SENSORIMOTOR PHASE
The Sensory-Motor Stage extends from birth until approximately the age of two. During this stage senses, reflexes, and motor abilities develop rapidly. Intelligence is first displayed when reflex movements become more refined, such as when an infant will reach for a preferred toy, and will suck on a nipple and not a pacifier when hungry.