CLINICAL PROFILE AND BACTERIOLOGICAL SPECTRUM OF NEONATAL SEPSIS, IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL, KASHMIR INDIA

BACKGROUND Neonatal sepsis is one of the commonest causes of morbidity and mortality in neonates in India compared to the developed countries. It is one of the four leading causes of morbidity and mortality in India among the neonates due to delivery and postnatal follow up in an unhealthy environment and low socio-economic state leading to maternal infection and premature delivery. It is absolutely necessary to diagnose early neonatal sepsis and its cause using clinical signs and rapid diagnostic method so that no time is wasted in starting appropriate treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS A hospital-based study carried out in the Department of Neonatology over the period from 15 June 2013 to 15 May 2014. Setting-A teaching, research and tertiary care hospital at Srinagar, Kashmir, North India. Participants-All the neonates, in-born or out-born with at least one of the following anamnestic or clinical criteria as developed by the French National Agency for Accreditation and Health, were included in study. Procedure: Variables recorded were-presenting risk factors, symptoms, clinical signs, baseline laboratory tests, blood, urine and CSF cultures and sensitivities. RESULTS 100 neonates were included in the study. The most common symptoms of neonatal sepsis were general (62%) followed by respiratory (54%). 32% neonates were having fever and 34% hypothermia. Klebsiella was most common gram-negative organism (36.84) grown and CONS most common gram-positive organism (13.5%) among culture positive sepsis. CONCLUSION Neonatal sepsis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates in Kashmir India despite recent improvements in the health care system. Clinical manifestations are nonspecific and varied and early diagnosis is must to prevent morbidity and mortality. Gram negative neonatal sepsis is most common.