An application of convolutional neural networks for the early detection of late-onset neonatal sepsis

Preterm newborns are vulnerable and easily infected due to the immature immune system. Late-onset neonatal sepsis occurring 48 hours after birth is a widespread disease among preterm newborns leading to high mortality and morbidity rates. The diagnosis is primarily based on biochemistry test, and the prescribed treatment is to use antibiotics. Risk averse clinicians, often applied overdose to reduce the mortality. A non-invasive method on monitoring vital sign signals deterioration to predict late-onset neonatal sepsis is proposed in this paper. First, we set up collectors within the local networks in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) where bedside monitoring machines locate to capture the necessary data. Then they were transformed to images according to specific rules. Finally, a convolutional neural network was built to predict the onset of sepsis. Pilot experiments conducted on data we have collected demonstrated the feasibility of this deep learning model. This method could be incorporated into the current clinical workflow as a decision support system and provide useful information for clinicians.