Journal Article
|CommentaryA call to bridge the diagnostic gap: diagnostic solutions for neonatal sepsis in low- and middle-income countries
Summary Points
- Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) bear the greatest burden of neonatal mortality, with sepsis being a major contributor.
- Non-specificity of signs, and the absence of a definitive diagnostic, present a challenge to the identification of sepsis and can lead to underdiagnosis or overdiagnosis, both of which can have harmful consequences.
- As early intervention can be life-saving, sepsis protocols, which commonly include empiric therapies, result in the overuse of antibiotics and the development of antimicrobial resistance.
- Affordable and accurate diagnostic tests that can detect neonatal sepsis at or near the point of care could contribute to reduced sepsis-related mortality in LMICs and support antimicrobial stewardship.
- A screening test to guide referral to hospital from primary care, and an in-hospital test to guide treatment decisions, are high priorities.
- Considerable investment will be needed to support the development of these diagnostics.
Subject Area
Languages
English
