The Bacolod City Health Office (CHO) recently revealed the leading cause of infant mortality in the city is neonatal sepsis, or a type of bloodstream infection.

CHO data showed 17 infants have died from the infection.

The city’s current infant mortality rate is 12.99 per 1,000 live births, which is lower than the national average. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the national 2017 infant mortality rate was 21 per 1,000 live births.

According to the Mayo Clinic, sepsis can lead to septic shock, or a reaction to the infection, resulting in a drop in blood pressure and possible death.

They also note, older adults and those with weak immune systems are susceptible to the infection.

The CHO also named other causes of death, including premature birth; pneumonia; and asphyxia, when the body is deprived of oxygen./WDJ