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Updated: Jul 18, 2025
A Neonatal Imaging Model of Gram-Negative Bacterial Sepsis
Published on: August 12, 2020
The Management of Neonates ≥34 Weeks' Gestation at Risk of Early Onset Sepsis: A Pilot Study
Maria Cristina Barbini1, Simona Perniciaro1, Ilia Bresesti1,2
1Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, "Filippo del Ponte" Hospital, ASST Settelaghi, 21100 Varese, Italy.
Abstract:
Early onset sepsis (EOS) is a potentially fatal condition in neonates, and its correct management is still challenging for neonatologists. Early antibiotic administration in the neonatal period may carry short- and long-term risks. Neonatal EOS calculator has been recently introduced as a new strategy to manage infants at risk of sepsis, and has shown promising results.
Methods:
In this single-center observational retrospective study, 1000 neonates ≥ 34 weeks' gestation were enrolled with the aim to evaluate our standard protocol for the management of suspected EOS compared to the EOS calculator. Outcome measures included the following: (1) incidence of EOS and (2) proportion of infants in need of sepsis evaluations and antibiotics using our standard protocol versus theoretical application of EOS calculator.
Results:
A total of 223/1000 infants underwent blood investigations versus 35/1000 (3.5%) if EOS calculator had been applied (p < 0.0001; k = 0.18). Furthermore, 48/1000 infants received antibiotics with our protocol versus 35/1000 with EOS calculator (p = 0.12; k = 0.58). Three infants had a positive blood culture that EOS calculator would have missed.
Conclusions:
In our study, EOS calculator could have reduced investigations but not antibiotic therapy. EOS calculator is an effective and promising tool, but further studies are required to improve it.
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