To Study the Clinical Profile of Neonatal Sepsis and the Sensitivity of Various Markers of Sepsis Screen

Objective: To study the clinical profile of Neonatal Sepsis & the sensitivity of various markers of sepsis screen. Material & Methods: This was a prospective study of neonates admitted to our NICU from January 2010 to October 2011 with diagnosis of neonatal sepsis or those who developed sepsis later on during their stay in NICU. All newborns diagnosed as a case of neonatal sepsis, based on clinical features with positive sepsis screen and/or positive blood culture, were included in our study. Blood Culture & Sensitivity was done with conventional non–automated method using Herley’s Broth. Result: Common clinical manifestations of Neonatal Sepsis among the study group were Lethargy (96.36%), Tachypnea (92.73%), Refusal to suck/feeding difficulty (76.36%), Delayed CRT, Poor Pulses (74.55%), Sclerema (61.82%), Gastric Bleeding (45.45%) & Feed Intolerance (45.45%). 46 babies had positive sepsis screen (sensitivity 84%), while 27 babies had a positive blood culture (sensitivity 49.09%).