In industrialized countries, treatment for<unk> s takes place in the<unk>  intensive care unit (NICU). The causes and reasons for<unk>  are many. The origin of<unk> s bacteria and some other pathogens is often the maternal gastrointestinal and genitourinary tract. Many of the maternal<unk> s with these organisms are asymptomatic in the mother. Other maternal<unk> s that may be transmitted to the infant in utero or during birth are bacterial and viral sexually transmitted<unk> s. The infant's ability to resist<unk>  is limited by its immature immune system. The causative agents of<unk>  are bacteria, viruses, and fungi. In addition, the immune system of the neonate may respond in ways that can create problems that complicate treatment, such as the release of inflammatory chemicals. Congenital defects of the immune system also affect the infants ability to fight off the<unk> . Bacteria Listeria monocytogenes Group B streptococcus are typically identified as the cause of the majority of early-onset<unk> s in the neonate. This pathogen is vertically transmitted (transmitted directly from the mother) to the infant. Enteric bacilli that originate from the digestive system of the mother have become as prevalent as the group B streptococcus pathogens and are currently as likely to cause<unk> . With the advances in preventing group B streptococcus<unk> s, β-lactam-resistant Escherichia coli<unk> s have increased in causing<unk>  deaths in very low birthweight and premature infants.<unk> s with Staphylococcus aureus are also diagnosed, but not as frequently as group B streptococcus<unk> s. Listeria monocytogenes can also cause<unk>  acquired from tainted food and present in the mother. The presence of this pathogen can sometimes be determined by the symptoms that appear as a gastrointestinal illness in the mother. The mother acquires<unk>  from ingesting food that contains animal products such as hot dogs, unpasteurized milk, delicatessen meats, and cheese.<unk>  can also occur in term and post-term infants.<unk> s that develop one month after the birth of the infant are more likely due to Gram-positive bacteria and coagulase positive staphylococci. Acquired maternal<unk>  and subsequent inflammation from Ureaplasma urealyticum is accompanied by a strong immune response and is correlated with the need for prolonged mechanical ventilation. Clostridium tetani can cause a generalised form of tetanus in the neonate. This usually occurs when the mother has not been vaccinated against tetanus and the baby has not acquired passive immunity. The umbilical cord region is the most susceptible. Other bacterial pathogens include Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Viridans streptococci, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Viruses HIV Human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV)<unk>  can occur during labor and delivery, in utero through mother-to-child transmission or postnatally by way of breastfeeding. Transmission can occur during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding. Most transmission occurs during delivery. In women with low detectable levels of the virus, the incidence of transmission is lower. Transmission risk can be reduced by: * providing antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy and immediately after birth * delivery by caesarean section * not breastfeeding * antiretroviral prophylaxis in infants born to mothers with HIV. A low number of women whose HIV status are unknown until after the birth, do not benefit from interventions that could help lower the risk of mother-to-child HIV transmission. Cytomegalovirus Sixty percent of mothers of preterm infants are infected with cytomegalovirus (CMV).<unk>  is asymptomatic in most instances but 9% to 12% of postnatally infected low birth weight, preterm infants have severe, sepsis-like<unk> . CMV<unk>  duration can be long and result in pneumonitis in association with fibrosis. CMV<unk>  in infants has an unexpected effect on the white blood cells of the immune system causing them to prematurely age. This leads to a reduced immune response similar to that found in the elderly. HSV Herpes simplex virus (HSV) can infect the infant during birth. Most women with HVS genital herpes develop asymptomatic<unk>  during pregnancy. HVS inoculation from mother to fetus has a high likelihood of occurring. Mothers who are treated with antiviral prophylaxis are less prone to have an active, symptomatic case at the time of birth. Mothers who have received prophylactic antiviral medication have been shown to be less likely to require a cesarean section. At delivery, mothers treated with antiviral medication are less likely to have a viral shedding at the time of birth. Zika Zika fever is caused by a virus that is acquired by the mother and then transmitted to the infant in utero. The CDC is concerned with the potential that this viral<unk>  may cause microcephaly in newborns. Rubella Congential rubella is still a risk with higher risk among immigrant women from countries without adequate vaccination programs. Other Other viral<unk> s such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), metapneumovirus (hMPV), rhinovirus, parainfluenza (PIV), and human coronavirus in the<unk>  period are associated with recurrent wheezing in later childhood. RSV<unk> s can be prolonged. Premature infants born at less than 32 weeks gestation have more days of cough and wheeze at 1 year of age than those uninfected with RSV. Fungi In very low birth weight infants (VLBWI), systemic fungus<unk>  is a hospital-acquired<unk>  with serious consequences. The pathogens are usually Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis. A small percentage of fungal<unk> s are caused by Aspergillus, Zygomycetes, Malassezia, and Trichosporon.<unk>  is usually late-onset. Up to 9% of VLBWI with birth weights of <1,000 g develop these fungus<unk> s leading to sepsis or meningitis. As many as one-third of these infants can die. Candidiasis is associated with retinopathy, prematurity and negative neurodevelopmental consequences. Candida can colonize the gastrointestinal tract of low birthweight infants (LBI). This gastrointestinal colonization is often a precursor to a more serious invasive<unk> . The risk of serious candida<unk>  increases when multiple factors are present. These are: thrombocytopenia, the presence of candidal dermatitis, the use of systemic steroids, birth weights of <1,000 g, presence of a central catheter, postponing enteral feeding, vaginal delivery, and the amount of time broad-spectrum antibiotics were given. Protozoans Infants born with malaria can be infected with a variety of species; Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium falciparum. In most instances of congenital malaria is caused by P. vivax and P. falciparum. Women living in areas where malaria is prevalent and common are repeatedly exposed to malaria. In response to maternal<unk> , mothers develop antimalarial antibodies. It is probable that the antibodies present in the mother offers protection for the baby. Bacterial<unk>  can develop with malaria. Infants that are infected by the protozoanToxoplasma gondii in utero can be born with chorioretinitis or ocular toxoplasmosis. Globally, it is the most common cause of<unk> s of the back of the eye. (posterior segment). The most common sign is decreased vision in one eye. Other signs and symptoms may appear after the<unk>  period and include: chorioretinitis development later in life, intracranial calcification hydrocephalus or central nervous system abnormalities.
Neonatal infection
Neonatal sepsis
Birth trauma
Birth trauma 
Perinatal asphyxia
Low Birth Weight
Fetal warfarin syndrome
Antenatal depression