Executive summary of the workshop on infection in the high-risk infant

For newborn infants in intensive care units, the morbidity and mortality from infection continues to be a major burden despite advances in neonatal care. infants are at risk for early-onset, late-onset as well as hospital-acquired infections. research studies are needed to optimize timely diagnosis and treatment, and develop patient-specific and system-wide strategies to prevent perinatal and neonatal infections. to address the knowledge gaps that preclude optimal, evidence-based care in this critical field, the eunice kennedy shriver national institute of child health and human development (nichd) organized a workshop in august 2008. in this paper, we provide a summary of the discussions, focusing on major knowledge gaps, and prioritized suggestions for research in this area.