Neonatal sepsis remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among newborns worldwide.
Globally, approximately 25% of neonatal deaths are caused by infections, with neonatal sepsis accounting for 10% of these deaths.
Strengthening surveillance is a regional priority. In Latin America, key areas requiring attention include addressing the under-reporting and incomplete recording of cases and outcomes, the lack of standardized diagnostic definitions and criteria, access to microbiology laboratories, and the standardization of indicators to enable comparisons across institutions and countries.
Priority actions for sepsis prevention include hand hygiene, infection control, and empowering healthcare teams to focus on colostrum administration, early suspicion, the rational use of antibiotics, and safe administration techniques.
