Publication:

Clinical and etiological profile of neonatal sepsis in children admitted to tertiary care hospital

Background Neonatal sepsis is leading cause of mortality in children. The clinical presentation of neonatal sepsis is non-specific and variable. This study was undertaken to study clinical and etiological profile of neonatal sepsis.

Methods This was a prospective study conducted over a period of one year from March 2018 to March 2019. The patients with clinically suspected sepsis were included in this study. Detailed history and examination was done in all patients. In addition to baseline investigations, C-reactive protein and blood culture was done in all patients. Blood culture was done prior to administration of antibiotics.

Results In this study there were total of 102 patients out of which 54 were male and 48 were female. Among 102 patients, 69 patients were premature born before 37 weeks of gestation. Prematurity   emerged to be the most common   risk factor. In this study 62% patients had EOS ( 72 hours of life). The most common presenting feature were refusal of feeds, lethargy, respiratory distress and hypothermia. Other features were seizures, abdominal distension, apnea and sclerema. Blood culture was positive in 41% patients. The most common organism isolated on culture was Kleibsella followed by E. coli.

Conclusions Neonatal sepsis is leading cause of mortality in children. Early diagnosis and treatment is of paramount importance to prevent mortality. The clinical presentation of neonatal sepsis is non-specific and variable. So, high index of suspicion is required to detect sepsis at earliest. Gram negative organism like Kleibsella and E. coli are the common causative organism in neonatal sepsis.