Objective:

To discuss the diagnostic challenges of neonatal sepsis and the potential impact of rapid diagnostic tools and AI-powered screening on clinical outcomes.

Key Findings:

• Blood cultures remain the primary diagnostic tool but take 24–72 hours, leading to unnecessary antibiotic use.
• No single biomarker can reliably distinguish bacterial from viral infections in neonates, highlighting the need for age-specific algorithms.
• AI and rapid diagnostic tools are promising but require further validation and integration into clinical practice, including collaboration with industry.

Interpretation:

Current diagnostic approaches for neonatal sepsis are inadequate, necessitating the development of more sensitive and specific tools, including biomarkers and AI-assisted methods, with a focus on age-specific considerations.

Limitations:

• Existing biomarkers may not perform consistently across different age groups.
• Current diagnostic methods are heavily reliant on clinical parameters and risk factors, which can lead to misdiagnosis.

Conclusion:

Improving neonatal sepsis diagnosis requires a combination of advanced biomarkers, AI integration, and a better understanding of clinical contexts, alongside collaboration with industry for practical implementation.