[Pediatric management of early-onset neonatal sepsis: guidelines adherence in Lille's perinatal care network]

Neonatal early-onset infection has been recognized as a significant cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity, in spite of recent improvement in perinatal care. In France, Anaes guidelines were published in 2002.

To evaluate paediatricians' knowledge about these official guidelines in Lille's perinatal network.

Every network's paediatrician, working in a hospital maternity or in a neonatology unit received a questionnaire, to evaluate his knowledge about early onset sepsis diagnosis, indication and type of per partum antibiotherapy, and immediate neonatal care, according to perinatal factors.

Response rate was 55%. Thirty-five per cent of paediatricians underestimated gastric sample's diagnostic role and 41% prescribed a triple antibiotherapy. Duration of antibiotic treatment was too long in 56% of cases. Biologic tests were prescribed in excess in 71% of cases when a streptoccocal B mother's colonization was present. Per partum antibiotherapy was appropriated in only 29% of responses.

This study underlines imperfect official guidelines' knowledge, leading to ecological, bacterial, and economical consequences.