How to treat neonatal pneumonia

  Neonatal pneumonia is a common disease in newborns. Early onset respiratory signs and symptoms are not obvious, yet it tends to progress or spread rapidly and is an important cause of neonatal death. It requires very aggressive treatment.  Treatment of infectious pneumonia includes intensive care, monitoring and warmth: appropriate room temperature, e.g. 23-25°C and 50% humidity. Skin temperature of 36.5°C for newborns. Intensify respiratory management and oxygenation if necessary. Keep the airway open and give nebulized inhalation if necessary. Severe cases require mechanical ventilation or even tracheal intubation. In terms of antibiotic selection, the principles of medication are the same as those for sepsis. Sputum culture should be done promptly, and antibiotics should be applied empirically first, and then adjusted according to drug sensitivity. In addition, adequate nutrition and fluids need to be supplied. In the neonatal period, in addition to bacterial infections, there can be infections with viruses, such as CMV virus, and special pathogens such as Chlamydia, which need to be actively identified in conjunction with clinical manifestations and chest radiographs to select the right treatment.  Neonatal pneumonia is the primary disease that endangers the health of newborns. Since neonates are different from older children and adults in terms of disease progression and physiological characteristics, it is recommended that once a neonate is found to have pneumonia, he or she should be sent to the hospital immediately for systematic treatment, especially when the neonate has symptoms such as bruising, shortness of breath and low-grade fever, to which the family should pay special attention.