Predictors of mortality in neonatal septicemia in an underresourced setting

Abstract

Objective: To determine the predictors of mortality in neonatal septicemia.

Method: The records of babies with culture-proven septicemia managed in a Nigerian newborn unit between 2006 and 2008 were studied using bivariate and multivariate analysis.

Results: Out of 174 babies with septicemia, 56 (32.2%) died. Outborn babies, babies with estimated gestational age (EGA) less than 32 weeks, weight less than 1.5 kg, temperature less than 38 degrees C, respiratory distress, abdominal distension, poor skin color, hypoglycemia, and infection with gram-negative pathogens were significantly associated with death by bivariate analysis. Multivariate analysis of these risk factors confirmed that EGA less than 32 weeks (odds ratio [OR], 5.5), respiratory distress (OR, 3.4), abdominal distension (OR, 2.7), poor skin color (OR, 3.3), and hypoglycemia (OR, 5.2) had significant independent contributions to the occurrence of death among babies with culture-proven septicemia.

Conclusion: Most of the identified predictors of mortality are modifiable and can be used to draw up a screening tool to determine the clinical severity among septic babies.