The relationship between Apgar score and gender with the incidence of neonatal sepsis: systematic review

Abstract

Neonatal sepsis is a cause of mordibity and mortality in newborns that causes long-term complications that can lead to death. One of risk factors for neonatal sepsis in infants is the Apgar score and gender. The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between Apgar score and gender with the incidence of neonatal sepsis. This study was systematic review, in searching sourced from six databases (EBSCO, Clinicalkey Nursing, PubMed, ProQuest, Science Direct and Springer Link). In searching for studies using the PICOS framework, the selection study used The Joanna Brigss Guideline Critical Appraisal. The literature used was 14 studies. The results of this study were from 14 literatures used, the average total incidence of neonatal sepsis was 0.356 (35.6%).10 of the 14 literatures stated that the 5th minute Apgar score of less than seven (<7) could be an independent predictor of the risk of neonatal sepsis with a mean risk of 16.9% (p value<0.01) and there were 8 from 14 literatures which states that there is a significant relationship between gender and the incidence of male gender morbidity with a risk of 1.02 (p value=0.00). The results showed that there was a relationship between Apgar scores and gender with the incidence of neonatal sepsis. Therefore, nurses or birth attendants need to be vigilant and take preventive measures if they find babies have Apgar scores and male sex as signs of a possible higher risk of neonatal sepsis in newborns.