Staphylococcus, or staph, is a group of bacteria often found harmlessly on human skin and in the nose. While these bacteria cause no issues for healthy individuals, they can lead to infections if they enter the body through a break in the skin. Newborns are particularly susceptible to staph infections because their immune systems are still developing and are not fully equipped to fight off these bacteria. This vulnerability is heightened in infants born prematurely or with very low birth weight, as well as those requiring extended hospital stays or invasive medical procedures.
Transmission and Common Sources
Newborns can acquire staph infections through contact with people or contaminated environments. Direct person-to-person contact is a primary pathway, where caregivers, hospital staff, or visitors carrying the bacteria can transmit it if hygiene practices are not followed.
Transmission can also occur from the mother to the newborn during or after birth. Mothers carrying Staphylococcus aureus can transmit it to their newborns. Additionally, newborns in hospital settings, especially in neonatal intensive care units, can be exposed to staph through contaminated medical equipment like catheters or mechanical ventilators. The bacteria can then enter the baby’s body through minor skin breaks, such as the umbilical cord stump, a circumcision site, or small scratches, leading to an infection.
Recognizing Signs and Symptoms
Parents should observe for signs of a staph infection in their newborn, with skin manifestations being common. These can appear as small, red, pimple-like bumps that may progress into larger pustules or boils filled with pus. Impetigo, a contagious skin infection, often presents as sores that may ooze fluid and develop a honey-colored crust, typically on the face, hands, or feet. Cellulitis, another common skin infection, causes areas of the skin to become red, swollen, warm, and tender to the touch, and can spread rapidly.
More serious skin infections include staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, which primarily affects babies and young children. This condition involves a rash and sometimes blisters that, when broken, leave a raw, red surface resembling a burn as the top layer of skin peels away. Beyond skin issues, a staph infection can lead to systemic symptoms if the bacteria enter the bloodstream or other internal organs. Signs of a widespread infection may include a fever or a low body temperature.
Newborns with a systemic staph infection may also exhibit lethargy, appearing unusually sleepy or unresponsive. Poor feeding, where the baby shows reduced interest in nursing or bottle-feeding, and increased irritability are also concerning indicators. Vomiting, a fast heart rate (tachycardia), or a slow heart rate (bradycardia) can be observed. Any of these signs, particularly when combined, warrant immediate medical attention.
Diagnosis and Medical Treatment
If a staph infection is suspected, a healthcare provider will begin with a thorough physical examination of the newborn. This allows the doctor to assess any visible skin lesions or other concerning symptoms. To confirm the presence of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria and guide treatment, a sample is often collected.
This sample, known as a culture, might be taken from a skin lesion, pus from a boil, or from the baby’s nose or blood if a more widespread infection is suspected. The sample is then sent to a laboratory to identify the specific bacteria causing the infection and determine its susceptibility to various antibiotics. Once the bacteria are identified, treatment depends on the infection’s severity and location.
Localized skin infections, such as small pimples or impetigo, may be treated with topical antibiotic ointments applied directly to the affected area. For more widespread or severe infections, oral antibiotics are prescribed, or intravenous (IV) antibiotics may be administered directly into the bloodstream for a stronger and faster effect. Some strains of staph bacteria, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), have developed resistance to common antibiotics like methicillin. When MRSA is identified, different, often stronger, antibiotics are necessary to effectively treat the infection. In cases of abscesses or boils, a medical professional may also need to drain the pus to facilitate healing.
Preventive Measures for Caregivers
Caregivers play a role in minimizing a newborn’s risk of staph infection by adopting preventive measures. Hand hygiene is essential, requiring caregivers to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, before and after handling the newborn. This practice is important after changing diapers or touching surfaces that might harbor bacteria.
Proper care of the umbilical cord stump and any circumcision site is also important. Keeping these areas clean and dry, as advised by a healthcare professional, helps prevent bacteria from entering the body through these open sites. Caregivers should monitor these areas for any signs of redness, swelling, or discharge.
Limiting exposure to potential sources of infection is another safeguard. Discourage visitors who are ill, have a fever, or exhibit skin infections from holding or having close contact with the newborn. Personal items such as towels, washcloths, and bedding should not be shared between the newborn and others, as these can harbor and transmit bacteria.