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Neonatal pneumonia is a serious lung infection that can happen to infants in the first 28 days of life. It can be categorised as either early-onset, usually contracted during birth via maternal vaginal tract pathogens, or late-onset, frequently linked to environmental exposure or hospital-acquired infections. Bacteria such as Group B Streptococcus, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella, as well as viruses and, less often, fungi, are the most common causes of these infections.

Clinically, afflicted newborns may exhibit respiratory distress characterised by tachypnea, grunting, chest retractions, apnoea, and cyanosis. Other indicators that typically go along with the respiratory symptoms are poor eating, lethargy, and unstable body temperature. This means it is very important to recognise them early. A clinical evaluation, chest X-ray results indicating infiltrates, and laboratory testing such as blood cultures and inflammatory markers are all used to make a diagnosis.

Management necessitates the immediate commencement of broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics, subsequently adjusted based on culture findings. To stabilise the baby, they need support, which may include oxygen therapy, hydration management, and even mechanical breathing. Preventive measures encompass maternal screening for infections, adherence to sterile delivery protocols, and appropriate neonatal care within hospital environments.

Early identification and proper treatment greatly lower the risk of death and illness, but severe instances can lead to problems like sepsis or persistent lung disease.