Characteristics and Associated Risk Factors of Neonatal Sepsis: A Retrospective Study From Saudi Arabia

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Neonatal sepsis is a major cause of infant morbidity and mortality.
• Pathogen profiles and antimicrobial resistance patterns in neonatal sepsis vary geographically and over time.
• Understanding local epidemiology is vital for effective treatment and prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the characteristics and risk factors of neonatal sepsis in neonates admitted to the NICU.
• To analyze causative pathogens and their antimicrobial sensitivity.
• To inform local healthcare policies and clinical management strategies.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cross-sectional study of 134 neonates with culture-proven sepsis.
• Data collected from January 2022 to December 2023 at Maternity and Children Hospital, AlAhsa, Saudi Arabia.
• Analysis of early-onset sepsis (EOS) and late-onset sepsis (LOS) cases, including pathogen identification and mortality rates.

Main Results:

• Late-onset sepsis (82.8%) was more prevalent than early-onset sepsis (17.2%).
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli were significant pathogens, with different prevalence in EOS vs. LOS.
• Mortality was higher in LOS (22.5%) than EOS (13%), with extremely preterm birth weight, gram-negative sepsis, and thrombocytopenia as significant risk factors.

Conclusions:

• Findings highlight the importance of understanding local neonatal sepsis epidemiology for targeted interventions.
• Hospital-based care strategies and risk reduction policies can be informed by this data.
• Continuous monitoring of causative agents and resistance patterns is essential for combating neonatal sepsis.