Pediatrics & Therapeutics
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0665
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2161-0665
+44 1478 350008
Minyahil Alebachew Woldu, Molla Belay Guta, Jimma Likisa Lenjisa, Gobezie Temesgen Tegegne, Gurmu Tesafye and Hunduma Dinsa
Background: The incidence of neonatal sepsis (NS) varies from 6 to 9 cases per 1,000 live births, but is higher among low-birth-weight neonates. The purpose of the present study was to examine the risk factors, antimicrobial use pattern and clinical outcomes of NS.
Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted using pretested and validated checklists. Results: Among the total 306 neonates 249(81.4%) were age less than or equal to 7days, and 169(55.23%) were male, while 251(82%) were attended antenatal care, 136 (44.44%) were low in birth weight (<2.5Kg) and155(50.7%) had total of white blood cell count >12000/mm3. Two hundred twenty one (72.2%) of the neonates were receive antibiotics for management of sepsis while 74 (24.2%) were receive antibiotics for other managements. The most frequently prescribed antibiotic was the combination of ‘ampicillin + gentamicin’ with 67(21.9%) followed by single antibiotic prescriptions of benzyl penicillin 33(10.8%) and cloxacillin 8(2.6%). A significant number of neonates (p=0.000) with 95% C.I of (1.934-8.967) were born in health center and developed sepsis. This value is 4.2 times higher when compared to the neonates born in home. A significant number of neonates born with the aid of instrument in hospitals were also developed sepsis (p=0.26). The risk of acquiring sepsis in neonates born with the aid of instruments was 6.2 times higher than children born vaginally in natural way. A significant number of neonates born from mothers’ with urinary tract infection (UTI) developed sepsis (p=0.02) and this figure was 2.9 times higher than neonates born from mothers’ with no UTI. Conclusions: In the present study, the most common risk factors for the incidence of neonatal sepsis were place of delivery, mode of delivery and mothers with UTI.