The Impact of Neonatal Pneumonia on Infant Health; A Review

Abstract

Neonatal pneumonia may occur in isolation or as one component of a larger infectious process. Bacteria, viruses,
fungi, and parasites are all potential causes of neonatal pneumonia and may be transmitted vertically from the
mother or acquired from the post-natal environment. The patient’s age at the time of disease onset may help
narrow the differential diagnosis, as different pathogens are associated with congenital, early-onset, and lateonset
pneumonia. Supportive care and rationally selected antimicrobial therapy are the mainstays of treatment
for neonatal pneumonia. The challenges involved in microbiological testing of the lower airways may prevent
definitive identification of a causative organism. In this case, secondary data must guide the selection of empiric
therapy, and the response to treatment must be closely monitored.