[Early neonatal sepsis and associated factors].

BACKGROUND: Early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) is an infectious disease of low incidence but high morbidity and mortality with severe consequences to the newborn prognosis. Identifying the associated factors related to EONS allows to start a timely treatment and to take preventive measures.

METHODS: In this case and controls study we identified all the newborns (NB) with and without EONS (cases and controls), diagnosed through blood culture in a period of three years. We studied risk factors such as: low gestational age, gender, weight, maternal infections, and premature rupture of membranes.

RESULTS: Our study consisted of 27 cases and 36 controls, with a mean age of 32.43 and 33.19 weeks of gestation (WOG), respectively (p > 0.05). Of these, 22 and 29 of the cases and controls had a gestational age < 37 WOG, (p > 0.05). However, maternal infection (odds ratio [OR] 1.76), respiratory distress syndrome (OR 4.72), the need of resuscitation (OR 2.9), intubation (OR 5.1) and ventilation support (OR 2.6) were statistically different between both groups (p < 0.05). The most isolated microorganism was Staphylococcus coagulase negative (42.3%).

CONCLUSIONS: Risk factors associated with EONS were maternal infection, the need of resuscitation, and intubation to ventilation support.