Risk factors for early sepsis in very low birth weight neonates with respiratory distress syndrome.

AIM: To identify maternal and neonatal factors that increase suspicion of early sepsis in Very Low Birth Weight neonates with respiratory distress syndrome.

METHODS

The cohort included 282 neonates born at Soroka Medical Centre 1996-2000. Definitions of 'high' and 'low'-suspicion groups for early sepsis were based on comparison between neonates with early sepsis and the remaining cohort. Univariate analysis and logistic regression were used to compare between groups.

RESULTS

The incidence of early sepsis in the cohort was 1.8%, and 94% received antibiotics following delivery. Comparing with the remaining cohort, the five neonates with early sepsis had increased incidence of positive maternal cultures, use of antenatal antibiotics, lower 1 min Apgar scores and tendency to leucopenia. A 'low-suspicion' group comprised 38% of the cohort and did not include any neonates with early sepsis. This group were more frequently treated with antenatal steroids and delivered by Caesarean section compared to the 'high-suspicion' group, but otherwise there were no clinical and laboratory differences.

CONCLUSION

Although the incidence of early sepsis is low almost all neonates received antibiotics. A 'low-suspicion' group was defined and the role of antibiotic treatment in this group needs to be determined.