Publication:

Cross sectional study of risk factors, clinical and bacteriological profile of neonatal sepsis in tertiarty care hospital

Background The neonatal period is the most vulnerable time for a child's survival. Neonatal sepsis contributes substantially to neonatal morbidity and mortality and is an ongoing major global public health challenge. Signs and symptoms of infection in neonates are subtle and non-specific hence further research is needed to identify a biomarker with high diagnostic accuracy and validity.

Methods This was a descriptive cross sectional study conducted in the department of paediatrics ESICMC and PGIMSR from March 2021 to August 2022.

Results In this study there were total of 130 neonates, of whom 78 were male. 82 (63.1%) newborns were premature and prematurity emerged to be the most common risk factor followed by LBW (53.8%), maternal gestational diabetes (24.6%) and MSL (22.3%). Majority of the newborn had EOS 63.1%. The most common presenting feature was lethargy, respiratory distress and feed intolerance. Blood culture positivity rate was 23.1%. The most common organism isolated was Klebsiella pneumonia. Mortality in the study was 9.2% (n=12).

Conclusions Early diagnosis and treatment is of paramount importance to prevent mortality. High index of suspicion is required to detect sepsis at earliest. Prematurity, low birth weight, prolonged rupture of membranes, MSL are major risk factors predisposing neonate to sepsis. Gram negative organism like Klebsiella and E. coli are the common causative organism in neonatal sepsis.