Neonates have quantitative as well as qualitative deficiency in their humoral immunity. Because of low level of antibody and complement in neonates there is defective generation of chemotactic factors and abnormalities of opsonisation which makes them prone to various bacterial infections. Quantitative estimation of serum immunoglobulins IgG, IgM, IgA and serum complement component C3 in cases of clinically diagnosed neonatal septicaemia cases may help in finding out the abnormalities in the humoral immune response. Quantitative estimation may be used as marker to support the diagnosis and...

Immature host defence mechanisms and invasive life support systems make the neonate particularly susceptible to overwhelming infections. Healthcare-associated bloodstream infection is a serious problem in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Changing pattern of organisms and frequent emergence of resistant bacteria causes difficulty in treatment of these infections. These organisms increase morbidity, mortality and the overall cost of health care. Antibiotics are the most commonly prescribed medication in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU). The judicious use of antibiotics can limit the...