Final answer:
Fever in neonates can be caused by severe infections like neonatal meningitis, often due to Group B streptococcus, and is treated with antibiotics, but still carries a high mortality rate. Other causes of fever in neonates include sepsis and RSV infections.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fever in neonates (less than 4 weeks old) can be indicative of several serious conditions including neonatal sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis. In particular, neonatal meningitis is often caused by Group B streptococcus (GBS), which can be transferred from mother to infant during childbirth. Diagnosis commonly involves culture tests of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or blood, and treatment typically includes intravenous ß-lactam antibiotics such as penicillin or ampicillin in combination with gentamicin. While most cases can be managed with antibiotics, approximately 10% mortality is still observed in affected neonates. Alongside neonatal meningitis, neonatal sepsis and infections such as those caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are key considerations in neonates presenting with fever.