Neonatal omphalitis is still common in eastern Turkey

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Medicine
• Pediatric Infectious Diseases
• Clinical Microbiology

Background:

• Omphalitis, an infection of the umbilical stump, poses a significant risk to newborns.
• Understanding the incidence, risk factors, and causative agents of omphalitis is crucial for effective neonatal care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review cases of omphalitis in newborns at a Turkish university hospital.
• To identify risk factors, clinical presentations, bacteriology, and mortality associated with omphalitis.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 88 newborn cases diagnosed with omphalitis between January 1988 and December 1990.
• Analysis of clinical data, laboratory results (white blood cell and absolute neutrophil counts), and bacteriologic findings.
• Identification of risk factors and prognostic indicators.

Main Results:

• The yearly incidence of omphalitis among inpatient newborns was 7.7%.
• Key risk factors identified include septic delivery (especially home delivery), prematurity, and being small for gestational age.
• Gram-positive bacteria (68%) were more prevalent than Gram-negative bacteria (60%), with Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli being the most common pathogens.
• The overall mortality rate was 15%, with all deaths occurring in infants presenting with systemic symptoms.

Conclusions:

• Septic delivery (particularly home delivery), prematurity, being small for gestational age, and systemic symptoms are poor prognostic factors for neonatal omphalitis.
• Clinical and hematologic findings for omphalitis are often non-specific.
• Bacteriologic analysis highlights the importance of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms in neonatal omphalitis.