The document discusses perinatal infections in newborns and infants. It describes two main routes of infection - ascending infections transmitted through the birth canal which are often bacterial, and transplacental infections transmitted across the placenta which can include parasites and viruses. Common perinatal infections mentioned include Group B strep, Listeria, Candida, and viruses in the TORCH group like cytomegalovirus which can cause complications like mental retardation and blindness. Sepsis in newborns is categorized as either early onset within 7 days of birth often from pneumonia and Group B strep, or late onset after 7 days which can be caused by Listeria or Candida.