Abstract

Introduction:Early onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) remains a major cause for neonatal mortality
and morbidity.To reduce neonatal mortality due to neonatal sepsis, preventive strategies are
better than therapeutic measures. AIM:To identify maternal and foetal risk factors associated
with early onset neonatal bacterial sepsis (EONS), in babies born in a rural teaching
hospital.Methodology –During the study period, using simple random sampling method, total
204 neonates were selected. Of them, only 172 mothers of neonates (134 controls, 38 EONS
cases) gave written informed consent.Results- The birth weight was significantly low in babies
who developed EONS (mean weight 2.39± 0.8) compared to that of the control group(mean
weight 2.83±0.6).The Mean APGAR score at 5 minutes was significantly low in babies who
developed EONS (7.15± 1.03) compared to that of the control group (9.3±0.9).Late preterm (GA
32 to 36 weeks) was a risk factor for EONS. Prematurity was significantly associated with
EONS. Pregnancy domicile area of the mother was not associated with development of sepsis.
Conclusion-Ambuuse, Laryngoscope use, Oxygen use, ET intubation in the delivery room were
not associated with EONS risk. Baby not undergoing or not needing gastric lavage in the
delivery room was a protective factor against EONS