Neonatal septicaemia in Calabar, Nigeria

In a twelve-month prospective study of 132 neonates suspected of having septicaemia in the Special Care Babies Unit (SCBU) of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Calabar, 79 were confirmed by positive blood cultures. Forty (50.6 pc) of these were preterm infants. The incidence was 19.3 per 1,000 hospital live births, while the mortality rate was 30.3 pc. The main predisposing factors were birth asphyxia, birth outside hospital, prolonged rupture of membranes, prolonged labour and poor water supply in hospital. The predominant pathogens were coliform organism and Staphylococcus aureus. The antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the pathogens suggest the use of gentamicin as a sole agent in the initial treatment of septicaemia while awaiting culture results. In view of the role of inadequate antenatal care, poor water supply and unhygienic delivery practices in the aetiology of newborn septicaemia, it is suggested that improved antenatal care, water supply and childbirth practices will reduce the incidence of septicaemia.