Neonatal septicaemia in the tropics

This review has shown a high incidence of neonatal septicaemia in a tropical environment. The predisposing factors leading to increased incidence of primary septicaemia include low maternal socioeconomic status, lack of adequate prenatal care, unsterile delivery practices in those born at home and increased incidence of susceptible hosts. Apart from gram-negative organisms, Staphylococcus aureus was the next common agent responsible for neonatal septicaemia. A combination of penicillinase-resistant penicillin and an eminoglycoside in particular gentamycin, should be the initial antibiotic of choice in suspected cases of neonatal septicaemia. Suggestions for reduction in the incidence of neonatal septicaemia were discussed.