DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2023.v11i01.023

Pages: 149-155

Background: Despite significant attempts to mitigate its effects, neonatal sepsis including late onset neonatal sepsis is regarded as a major cause of morbidity and death in newborns. Objective: In this study our main goal is to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of late onset neonatal sepsis in SCANU (Special Care Newborn Unit). Method: This cross sectional study was carried out at tertiary medical college and hospital where 100 neonates suspected of having neonatal sepsis and admitted in the neonatal unit were included. Clinical sepsis was diagnosed based on presence of one or more of clinical features. Clinical features considered were fever (≥38.0°C), hypothermia (≤36.5°C), convulsions, lethargy, poor feeding, respiratory distress, vomiting, bulging fontanels, jaundice, and umbilical pus infections. Results: The research found that 46% of the instances occurred in the 15-22 day age range, and that 88% of the participants were female. Seventy-five percent of the babies were fed formula, 20 percent of the babies used a bottle, and 80 percent of the patients had poor hygiene status. There were 6% instances of very low birth weight and 35% occurrences of low birth weight. In addition, a cough was seen in 51.7% of cases, a cough accompanied by respiratory distress in 66.0% of cases, a fever in 76.0% of cases, a reduction in urine output in 50% of cases, convulsions in 20% of cases, a skin rash in 92.0% of cases, and jaundice in 18.0% of cases. Sixty percent were given antibiotics for 1-5 days, and 58 percent of those admitted remained in the hospital for 6-10 days. The prevalence of Klebsiella pneumoniae was highest (38%), followed by staphylococcus aureus (27%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15%), Citrobacter species (10%), and Klebsiella oxytoca (8%). As part of the therapy, many antibiotics were administered all at once. These included Tazid, meropenem, kacin, Gentamicin, and others. 62% of patients were advised to follow up once therapy was completed (DA). ....