ADVANCES AND CHALLENGES IN THE TREATMENT OF NEONATAL INFECTIONS: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Neonatal infections continue to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in preterm and low birth-weight infants. Despite advances in neonatal care, the incidence of neonatal sepsis remains high. This narrative review summarizes the latest developments and challenges in treating neonatal infections. Key topics include antimicrobial therapy, immunotherapy, and prevention strategies. Optimizing antimicrobial use through appropriate selection, dosing, and monitoring is essential, but preventing infections should be the priority. Infection control bundles, maternal immunization, and antimicrobial stewardship initiatives have shown promise in reducing neonatal infections and antibiotic resistance. However, the paucity of high-quality studies in neonates is a significant barrier to advancing treatment, highlighting the urgent need for more research in this field.