Single Best Answer (SBA) · Neonatal Sepsis and Infection
Which is the most common invasive (deep) early-onset infection in the newborn?
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. Pneumonia
Early versus late clinical presentation
The pattern of infection differs by timing.
| Early infection (<72 h) | Late infection (>72 h) |
|---|---|
| Skin pustules | Meningitis |
| Umbilical - omphalitis | Bacteraemia |
| Eyes - conjunctivitis | |
| Pneumonia - most common invasive early infection |
Why pneumonia
Pneumonia is the most common invasive early-onset infection; superficial early infections include skin pustules, omphalitis and conjunctivitis.
Late-onset
By contrast, meningitis and bacteraemia are characteristic of late-onset infection.
Why the others are wrong
Meningitis is more characteristic of late-onset disease; osteomyelitis, UTI and septic arthritis are not the commonest invasive early infection - pneumonia is.
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