There are a number of important gaps in our knowledge,
and there is an urgent need for studies looking at simple and
sustainable interventions to reduce the burden of neonatal
infection. Longitudinal surveillance to describe the varied
pathogens causing neonatal sepsis as well as their changing
antibiotic susceptibility profile is important. Without such a
platform, the introduction of new methods of prevention is
difficult. Possible strategies to be considered might include
intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis, the use of antiseptic
solution to disinfect the birth canal, and implementation of
simple infection control methods of proven efficacy such as
hand washing and barrier nursing, promotion of clean
deliveries, exclusive breast feeding, restriction of antibiotic
use, and rationalisation of admissions to and discharges from
neonatal units