Early Onset Septicemia in Term Neonates: Corelation Between Sepsis, Maternal and Neonatal Risk Factors and Clinical Profile

Neonatal sepsis is a clinical syndrome of bacteremia characterized by systemic signs and symptoms of infection in the first month of life. Neonatal sepsis encompasses systemic infection of the new born including septicemia, meningitis, pneumonia, arthritis, osteomyelitis and urinary tract infection of newborn [AIIMS] [1]. A prospective nonrandomised study was conducted in neonatal intensive care unit. At risk babies were further evaluated and investigations like complete blood count, C reactive protein, chest xray, body fluid examination( cerebrospinal fluid and urine ) and blood culture was sent. Then according to the clinical presentation and the investigations reports, antibiotic pattern was decided. Majority of the neonates had hypothermia as the presenting clinical feature followed by respiratory distress and poor perfussion. Hypothermia was the most common clinical feature steps can be taken to minimise hypothermia by proper maintenance of warm chain and early initiation of breast feeding .Higher incidence of septicemia is seen in male patients as compared to female patients. Early identification of the presenting feature and early initiation of antibiotics can play a major contributing role in reducing mortality and complications of early onset septicemia. Practicing and maintain aspetic precautions from the place of delivery and in the neonatal intensive care unit can also reduce the incidence of early onset septicemia.[Nelson][2]