If you establish a focus of infection in a patient always rule out sepsis
And it is done using SOFA score
As per new guidelines A known focus of infection with Sofa score>/= 2 is diagnostic of sepsis
Investigations u have to order to ensure all sofa parameters are covered
CBC- Platelet Count
KFt- Sr Creatinine
LFT- Sr Billiribin
Abg- PaO2/FiO2
Measure GCS and MAP
We have many lab markers predictors and indicative of neonatal sepsis. But clinical Calculators are also available. We routinely use Kaiser Permanente Calculator predicting the risk of neonatal sepsis. Based upon the calculator, we take tye decision of initiating the antibiotics. Further decisions can be based upon lab results as well as clinical course of the patient.
#neonatology