ABSTRACT
Serious bacterial infections are more common in the neonatal period than at any other time in life, in large part a consequence of immature host-defense mechanisms. During the first 28 days of life, the incidence of sepsis is reported as high as 8 cases per 1000 live births with 20% to 25% of these having associated meningitis. With advances in neonatal intensive care and antibiotic therapy, mortality rate for such infections has been lowered to 5% from 10%.
