Perinatal risk factors in neonatal infections

Abstract

Perinatal risk factors were studied among 50 cases of neonatal septicemia and 200 matched normal neonates during one year period. The consanguinity among parents, birth order and sex of the baby did not increase the risk for developing septicemia. There was significant increase in the risk for septicemia when the duration of labour was more than 24 hours (P<0.01), time interval between rupture of membrane and delivery of baby was more than 12 hours (P < 0.001), liquor was meconium stained or foul smelling (P<0.001) and delivery was operative (P<0.01), The neonatal factors identified with risk for septicemia were preterm delivery (P<0.01), low birth weight (P<0.01), birth asphyxia (P < 0.001) assisted ventilation (P < 0.001) and intravenous alimentation (P<0.02). Identification of high risk pregnancies and appropriate management can minimize many of the above risk factors which in turn will reduce the occurrence of neonatal sepsis.