Clinico-bacteriological Profile of Neonates Born with Risk Factors of Septicemia

Abstract

Background: Septicaemia is the single most important cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality in the world, accounting for over half of the cases. Aim: This study was conducted to establish the clinical and bacteriological profile in newborns with risk factors of septicaemia. Subjects and Methods: One hundred and fifty consecutive neonates delivered with risk factors of septicaemia were recruited after obtaining informed consent. Blood culture was done using BACTEC PEDS PLUS/F CULTURE vials as a part of sepsis screen used to diagnose septicaemia. In addition acute phase reactants like total leucocyte count and C-reactive protein measurements were also documented. Statistical analysis: Correlation of all risk factors with laboratory findings was obtained by using Pearson chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test. p-value of less than 0.05 was considered as significant. Results: Blood culture positivity was found in 28% neonates born with risk factors of septicaemia out of which 57.1% were gram-positive and 42.9% were gram-negative isolates respectively. Staphylococcus aureus being the most common among the grampositive bacteria, was isolated in 19 (45.2%) of cases. Among the gram-negative bacteria, Acinetobacter baumannii was the most common being present in 13 (30.9%) of cases. Among all the risk factors studied, fever in the mother was significantly correlating with positive sepsis screen. Conclusion: Blood culture positivity increases with increase in number of risk factors in neonatal septicaemia. Hence screening tests for septicaemia must be done routinely in such cases.

Keywords

• neonate
• risk factors
• septicaemia
• c-reactive protein
• fever in mothers