Nosocomial infections as a major cause of sepsis in admitted neonates

ABSTRACT

To determine the causes of nosocomial infection in admitted neonates having clinical or bacteriological proven sepsis.A retrospective analysis of 100 neonates admitted to neonatology unit of a teaching hospital, having clinical or bacteriological evidence of sepsis. History and laboratory data was scrutinized to collect relevant information. Out of 100 neonates, 58 were females and 42 were males. 63 patients were preterm and 37 were term infants. 68 patients were delivered at home and 32 were delivered in hospital. In 15 patients, mother had some perinatal infections and in 28 cases mothers had prolonged rupture of membranes. In 57 cases, no maternal or neonatal cause of infection was found and these babies acquired nosocomial or hospital acquired infection. Nosocomial infections are very common in our setup. Stringent methods are recommended to improve the basic hygiene of our neonatal units