Publication:

Clinical features and bacteriological profile of late onset sepsis

Background Neonatal sepsis is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the neonatal period. Late onset sepsis (LOS) is associated with community environment or postnatal exposure to hospital environment. It's incidence is rising due to greater survival of preterm neonates and very low birth weight babies. The bacterial isolates of neonatal sepsis especially that in LOS are changing. An understanding of the changing epidemiology of neonatal LOS will help to reduce the associated mortality and morbidity. The objective was to study the clinical symptoms and signs of late onset sepsis, to study the bacteriological profile of LOS.

Methods A prospective observational study. All neonates presenting with signs and symptoms of sepsis after 72 hours of life up to day 28 were included. Babies with birth asphyxia and congenital anomalies were excluded from the study.

Results A total of 120 newborns with LOS were included in the study. Of this 42.5% had blood culture positive sepsis. Lethargy, refusal of feeds and apnoea were seen in 61.66%, 55.0% and 34.17% of babies respectively. Klebsiella (25.49%), Staphylococcus aureus (23.53%) and coagulase negative Staphylococcus (21.57%) were the predominant organisms isolated in LOS.

Conclusions Prompt diagnosis of neonatal sepsis is a challenge. The incidence of LOS in neonates is rising. Klebsiella is the most common gram negative organism; Staphylococcus aureus and CONS are the predominant gram positive organisms. CONS is emerging as an important causative organism in LOS.