Neonatal sepsis presenting as delayed emergence from general anesthesia

Abstract

This case report brings to attention the consideration of neonatal sepsis as a factor for delayed emergence from general anesthesia in the full-term newborn. Specifically, 'early onset' Group B Streptococcal sepsis should be highly suspected in the septic newborn under 24 hours of age. Anesthesiologists who care for newborns should be aware of the possibility that neonatal sepsis may account for an otherwise unexplained episode of delayed awakening from anesthesia.