Indian researchers find faster way to detect sepsis in newborn

Indian researchers have devised a method that can immensely reduce the detection time of sepsis, one of the most common problems in newborn in India, thus reducing usage antibiotics usage.

Researchers at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital's department of haematology have devised the method which will bring down the sepsis detection timing from 24-72 hours to just two hours.

"Neonatal sepsis pose a major problem in India with septicemia and pneumonia accounting for 52 percent deaths in home-cared rural born neonates," said Manorama Bhargava, lead author of the study and haematology department chairperson.

"Early detection is challenging as clinical signs are subjective, and requires 1-3 days," she said.

The method is based on a study done on 92 infants and it was published in the International Journal of Hematology.

According to doctors, the new method will help in preventing extra usage of antibiotics and the diagnosis cost remains the same.