Our neonatologists institute neonatal sepsis treatment protocols based on risk assessment, physical findings, baby's CBC leukocytosis with neutrophilia, baby's elevated CRP, etc. Typical cases get discharged from special care after 48 hours. So, a decision must be made as to whether to continue the antibiotic protocol for a total of 10 days. Rather than attempt to institute additional tests on site such as procalcitonin, we offer STAT placental surgical pathology workup which can vary from frozen section to assurance of a hsitological diagnosis of acute chorioamnionitis or not within between 24-48 hours of birth.

(posted 18 May 2010)