[Predisposing risk factors that participate in neonatal sepsis mortality rate]

Neonatal sepsis is a frequent diagnosis in neonatal intensive care units and has been associated with a high mortality rate.

To determine the possible association between various risk factors and neonatal sepsis mortality rate.

Cohort case control.

Two hundred medical records of newborns discharged from a neonatology unit, from January 1998 to June 2002, with a neonatal sepsis diagnosis were reviewed.

There was significance in birth weight of 1000 g or less, vein dissection for insertion of central venous catheter, gestational age of 30 weeks or less, and presence of mechanical ventilatory assistance (p < 0.01). Total parenteral nutrition also reached significance but as protective factor (OR: 0.15, CI 95% 0.07 - 0.31) (p < 0.001). The multivariate analysis displayed similar results, except birth weight (p < 0.01).

The above mentioned risk factors should be prevented in as much as possible. A factor to prevent mortality is total parenteral nutrition which should be always employed in cases where this is feasible.