Babies are at higher risk of getting meningitis and septicaemia. This is because they do not have fully developed immune systems.
Neonatal intensive care has improved over the past few years. This has meant fewer newborns die from meningitis and septicaemia but the number of cases has remained about the same.
Different types of bacteria can cause meningitis and septicaemia in newborns. The main types are, GBS (caused by Group B Streptococcal bacteria), E. coli and listeria . Premature babies who are born earlier than 33 weeks and babies who weigh less than 2000g at birth are more at risk of developing neonatal meningitis and septicaemia.
Page last updated 02.02.07