IX NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASES, CHENNAI, OCT 2006

Early onset newborn sepsis (onset of sepsis < 72 hours) is related to several perinatal factors and empirical treatment with antibiotics is started on many occasions on Asymptomatic babies when these risk factors are present. In order to optimize treatment, it is necessary for every hospital to have a rational and empiric treatment strategy. This study was undertaken to describe the pattern of early onset NB sepsis and identify the perinatal factors associated with it.

Thirty consecutive babies admitted to the NICU with a clinical diagnosis of sepsis before 72 hours of age formed the study group. Maternal and neonatal details were obtained on a pre-designed proforma. Similar details were obtained form 60 well babies who formed the control group. Blood for culture of pathogens, total and differential leucocyte counts were done on all babies. C-reactive protein (CRP) was done on 25 babies. Chest X-rays were taken for 4 babies who were clinically suspected to have pneumonia. CRP was not quantified and a positive value was taken as evidence of sepsis. Band count was not done.

In this study has shown that the perinatal factors associated with EONS are similar to that described by earlier workers. A large and focused study is necessary to determine the role of maternal fever and CRP alone as indicators for initiating empirical antibiotics in asymptomatic babies.

NCPID 2006 - Conference Abstracts. Pediatric Oncall [serial online] 2007 [cited 15 April 2007(Supplement 4)];4. Available from:
http://www.pediatriconcall.com/fordoctor/Conference_abstracts/
NCPID2006/Free08.asp