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The outcome of neonatal septicemia during fifteen years
R Bennet1, S Bergdahl, M Eriksson
1Department of Paediatrics, Karolinska Institute, St. Göran's Children's Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Insights
Neonatal septicemia outcomes improved, with mortality decreasing significantly. However, moderate to severe handicaps in survivors remained a persistent challenge, particularly following meningitis or osteomyelitis.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Epidemiology
Background:
- Neonatal septicemia poses a significant threat to infant survival and long-term health.
- Understanding trends in mortality and handicap is crucial for improving neonatal care.
- Previous studies highlighted varying outcomes, necessitating updated evaluations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the outcomes of neonatal septicemia over a 15-year period.
- To assess changes in mortality rates and the incidence of handicaps in survivors.
- To identify factors contributing to handicaps in infants with and without specific infections.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 320 infants diagnosed with neonatal septicemia between 1969 and 1983.
- Comparison of mortality rates between the early and late periods of the study.
- Assessment of moderate to severe handicaps in surviving infants.
- Analysis of specific infection types (meningitis, osteomyelitis) and other risk factors.
Main Results:
- Overall mortality from neonatal septicemia decreased from 27% to 12% during the study period.
- The incidence of moderate to severe handicaps among survivors remained stable at approximately 20%.
- Meningitis and osteomyelitis were present in 60% of handicapped survivors, often in previously healthy infants.
Conclusions:
- While neonatal septicemia mortality has decreased, long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes remain a concern.
- Infections like meningitis and osteomyelitis are associated with a high risk of severe handicaps.
- Identifying and mitigating additional risk factors is essential for improving the overall prognosis for infants with neonatal septicemia.
Abstract:
The outcome of neonatal septicemia in 320 infants seen during 1969-83 has been evaluated. Mortality decreased from 27% to 12%. The incidence of moderate to severe handicaps in survivors remained unchanged at around 20%. Sixty percent of these handicapped children had meningitis or osteomyelitis, and many of these were healthy prior to onset. All handicapped infants without osteomyelitis or meningitis had several other risk factors that may have contributed to the final outcome.