How do you recognize signs of newborn sepsis and when to seek care?

• A. Poor feeding, lethargy, fever or hypothermia, rapid breathing, color changes, irritability or inconsolable crying; seek urgent care
• B. Rash on feet only
• C. Frequent sneezing
• D. Mild tiredness after feeding

Answer: (A)

Newborn sepsis can present with subtle, non-specific signs, so you look for a pattern of several red flags that together signal a possible infection. The best indicators are poor feeding (baby won’t feed well or finishes very little), lethargy or trouble waking, fever or an abnormally low temperature, rapid breathing, color changes such as pale, mottled, or blue-tinged skin, and irritability or inconsolable crying. When these signs appear, they can point to a serious infection that can progress quickly, so urgent medical evaluation is needed. Seek urgent care right away or go to the emergency department, especially if the baby is very sleepy, hard to wake, breathing hard or fast, or showing any concerning changes in color or feeding.

Other signs like a rash on the feet only, frequent sneezing, or mild tiredness after feeding are not reliable indicators of sepsis on their own and don’t by themselves require urgent evaluation, though any new or worsening symptoms should be discussed with a healthcare provider. If there’s any doubt, err on the side of caution and seek prompt medical advice.