Neonatal septicaemia: a changing picture?

The incidence, aetiologic organism and mortality associated with neonatal septicaemia were retrospectively reviewed over a seven year period (June 1983 to July 1990). Trends with time were evaluated by dividing the study period in half. Although there was no significant change in the incidence of septicaemia during the study period (3.59 vs 3.40 per 1000 livebirths), there was a marked increase in the numbers of very low birthweight infants developing early onset group B streptococcal sepsis and an associated increase in mortality.