Novel Mechanisms and Approaches to Treat Neonatal Sepsis

Blood samples will be collected from three populations: preterm infants, term infants and healthy adult controls. In addition, a collection of meconium (<1mL) from the diaper of these term and preterm neonates;

• Term neonates (gestational age 37-42 weeks) between birth and 72 hours of life who have blood collected for the following clinical indications:

a. Blood will be collected at 0-72 hours of life from neonates that are undergoing state metabolic screens or for clinical evaluation jaundice. The sample will be obtained during the standard of care state metabolic screen or for clinical evaluation of jaundice. The neonate will only have an extra drop of blood placed (500-700 micro-liters) in a tube during the heel sticks. Neonates will only have 1 sample drawn throughout the duration of the study.

• Preterm neonates (gestational age 24-37 weeks) consisting of two populations between birth and 72 hours of life who have blood collected for the following clinical indications:

• Blood will be collected at 0-72 hours of life from neonates that are otherwise healthy and do not require additional laboratory testing who are undergoing state metabolic screens or for evaluation of jaundice. The neonate will only have an extra drop of blood placed (500-700 microliters) in a tube during the heel stick. Neonates will only have 1 sample drawn throughout the duration of the study.
• A second group of premature neonates will have blood drawn for complications related to prematurity (sepsis work-up). The neonate will only have an extra drop of blood placed (500-700 micro-liters) in a tube during one of these clinical blood draws.
• Healthy adult controls will have (4milleters) blood collected by way of vein puncture.

For all infants, term and preterm, the following data will be collected at the time of blood collection: gender, gestational age, weight, mechanism of birth (vaginal vs cesarean section), evidence of infectious complication (chorioamnionitis, prolonged rupture of membranes, maternal group B strep colonization, hypoglycemia), use of perinatal antibiotics or steroids, laboratory values available in the electronic medial record (CBC, CMP, Lactic acid, CRP) and Apgar scores will be collected from each patient. Additionally the clinical outcomes of these patients, term and preterm,will be collected until time of discharge but not to exceed 90 days.

Preterm and Term neonates 0-72 hours old

Inclusion criteria

• Consent to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

• non- survivable condition

Healthy Adult Controls

Inclusion criteria

• Consent to participate in the study
• Age >18 years old, <55 years old

Exclusion criteria

• Age <18 years old, >55 years old
• Severe pre-existing organ dysfunction
• Oncolytic therapy within 14 days
• HIV positive status
• Current use of chronic steroids