Seizures - A brief period of too much nerve activity. The body tenses up, and the baby may lose consciousness for a few moments. Seizures are common in NICU babies and are frequently treated with medicines. Tests may be done to find out what's causing the seizures. When infection gets into the blood, it can affect the baby's whole body.
Sepsis is treated with antibiotics.
If the sepsis is very bad, blood transfusions may be needed. The care in a stepdown nursery is less intensive than in a NICU but still more specialized than in a standard nursery. Theophylline - A drug that helps open up a baby's breathing tubes. Blood can be taken without bothering the baby. Ultrasound - A kind of imaging study that uses sound waves to produce a picture of structures inside the body.