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Notes:
Volume 4 Journal of Pediatric Care
ISSN: 2471-805X
Page 21
JOINT EVENT
May 07-08, 2018 Frankfurt, Germany
&
3rd International Conference on Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery
22nd Edition of International Conference on Neonatology and Perinatology
Christy Varghese, J Pediatr Care, Volume 4
DOI: 10.21767/2471-805X-C2-008
Maternal and neonatal factors predicting sepsis in neonates on the septic pathway
Christy Varghese
The University of Manchester, UK
Introduction: Early-onset neonatal sepsis is defined as infection within 72 hours of delivery within a healthy baby. There are
a number of risk factors for neonatal sepsis identified. Babies with at least 2 risk factors are placed on the sepsis pathway and
started on antibiotics awaiting results of investigations such as blood culture, C-reactive protein (CRP) and possible lumbar
puncture. The study looked at those neonates on the sepsis pathway to identify factors that may likely predict sepsis defined in
this study as a CRP of >10 mg/L.
Material & Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted in the northwest of England focusing on Royal Preston
Hospital. The study used data from neonates who were treated for suspected sepsis within the first 72 hours post-birth. A
total of 102 babies were selected using random selection and information regarding various variables was obtained. Data
was collected from the Lancashire Teaching Hospital Trust (LTHTr) electronic documentation softwares. The initial analysis
involved univariate and bivariate analysis. Multivariate logistic regression was also performed to understand which factors
were the best predictors to assess severity of sepsis.
Results: There were a total of 55 (53.9%) male neonates and 47 (46.1%) female neonates. There were only 4 neonates with
culture proven sepsis. Bivariate analysis showed more mature neonates are more likely to have higher CRP. Multiple regression
analysis of neonatal factors found gestation age (p<0.0001) and respiratory distress (p=0.0121) to be the two significant
variables in predicting increased CRP levels.
Conclusion: In conclusion, a third of neonates had high CRP. There was only one neonate with a positive blood culture that
grew GBS. 22 lumbar punctures were conducted which were all negative. The study showed that neonates on the sepsis pathway
are more likely to have high CRP if they showed respiratory distress. In addition to this, within the population of neonates on
the pathway, neonates who are more mature are more likely to have a high CRP as a proxy for sepsis. Paradoxically, babies with
prolonged ROM were less likely to have high CRP which was found to be statistically significant but clinically less significant.
No other factors could accurately predict sepsis in neonates.
Biography
Christy Varghese is currently a 4th year Medical Student at the University of Manchester undertaking clinical placement at the Royal Preston Hospital, Preston. He
was part of the Pediatric Society at the university. He undertook a 10 week research dissertation project under the guidance of Dr. Dhia Mahmood, Neonatologist
at Royal Preston Hospital.