SEPSIS MONITORING IN NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine epidemiology, clinical implications, outcome and monitoring of neonatal sepsis in intensive care unit. A retrospective cohort study included all consecutive neonates with a positive blood culture, from those treated in Neonatal intensive care unit over one-year period, marked as the test group. The study was approved by Ethics Committee of the Institution. Clinical and demographic data were obtained from medical records and electronic database of patients, including gender, gestational age, birt weight, perinatal risk factors for neonatal sepsis, clinical presentation, laboratory findings, applied therapy and outcome. For statistical analysis were used standard methods of descriptive statistics. Of total 345 treated neonates, sepsis were confirmed on blood culture in 93 neonates (26.9%), evenly in both genders. Among the causative agents, gram positive pathogens dominated, followed by gram negative pathogens and fungi. Gestational immaturity and low birth weight were confirmed as the most significant risk factors. In laboratory findings leukopenia, thrombocytopenia and coagulation disorders were significant. The lenght of intensive treatment was significantly longer in the sepsis group. Mortality rate of neonates with sepsis was 7.5%, higher than the total sample but without statistical significance. Recovery of these neonates notedly depends on timely clinical suspicion, adequate treatment and supervision. Antimicrobial susceptibility is also important, which requires monitoring of local epidemiological data to improve treatment.