An Observational Study on The Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics, And Outcomes of Neonatal Sepsis in A Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at A Tertiary Care Hospital

Neonatal septicemia refers to a clinical syndrome characterized by systemic signs and symptoms due to generalized bacterial infection with a positive blood culture in the first four weeks of life. It continues to remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among infants, especially in middle and lower-income countries. The aim is to determine epidemiology & outcome of sepsis in children & objective is to estimate the prevalence, define disease spectrum, identify risk factors, diagnostic criteria, clinical outcomes and to review antibiotic utilization as well as whether the current treatment is in compliance with guidelines. This prospective observational study was carried for a period of six months. All the admitted children were screened for sepsis based on the clinical features and septic screening. Coming to the results part, out of 120 patients, 100 patients met the criteria. The prevalence was found to be 83.33% and males (58%) are more subjected to infections than females. Then results of patients were further divided into various criteria to meet our defined objectives. CRP levels along with other clinical signs & symptoms have a major role in the diagnosis and prognosis of neonatal sepsis. Our present study was formulated as there was a paucity of evidence with respect to the association between neonatal sepsis and CRP as a biomarker for neonatal septicemia. This article concludes early diagnosis and appropriate management improves the outcome in neonatal sepsis.