The Risk Factors of Early Onset Neonatal Sepsis

Abstract

Introduction: Neonatal sepsis is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in newborn. Early onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) is a severe disease and has high mortality rate. The clinical signs of EONS are nonspecific and the confirmation of diagnosis may consuming time. Therefore, the diagnostic approach is necessary by considering the risk factors. Objective: The aims of this study are to identify the risk factors of newborn infants whose mother has risk factors of sepsis affecting the occurrence of EONS. Methods: This is a cohort retrospective study, conducted from January 2013 to June 2014 in Neonatology Installation of Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo hospital, Makassar. The sample population included newborn infants whose mother has risk factors of sepsis. The information of the risk factors from infant and diagnoses of EONS was obtained from their medical record. Multivariate analysis and logistic regression formula were performed to predict the occurrence of EONS. There were 221 samples: 62 cases of EONS and 159 of control. Results: The results of multivariate analysis revealed 3 risk factors from infant which were associated to EONS: APGAR score <7 (p= 0.000, AOR 14.05 with 95% CI 5.48-35.98), gestational age <37 week (p= 0.000, AOR 13.45 with 95% CI 3.91-46.26), birth weight <1500 gram (p= 0.04, AOR 4.9 with 95% CI 1.08-22.25). Conclusion: Based on this study, it concluded that the risk factors of EOS were: APGAR score, gestational age and birth weight.