Pediatrics & Therapeutics
Open Access

Abstract

Clinical Treatment Outcomes of Neonatal Sepsis in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Wollega University Teaching and Referral Hospital, Nekemte Town, Western Ethiopia

Ginenus Fekadu, Tsega Abera and Tesfa Tekle

Background: Neonatal sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response syndrome in the presence of or as a result of suspected or proven infection in a neonate. It is a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, particularly in developing countries. The clinical outcomes of neonatal sepsis vary in different hospitals with different setups.

Methods: Hospital-based prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 306 neonates at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Wollega university teaching and Referral Hospital for two months from June 1 to August 30, 2018. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 windows. Tools like a review of secondary data, interview and observation were employed to collect the data

Results: Among 306 neonates included in this study, 133 (43.46%) were males and 92.5% had the weight of 2.5 kg-4 kg. Among the total study 306 neonates, 231 (75.5%) were diagnosed as early onset neonatal sepsis and 75 (24.5%) were diagnosed with late-onset neonatal sepsis. Majority of the patients, 294 (96.08%) were diagnosed with empirically and 96 (31.37%) neonates were born from mother with urinary tract infection during delivery. About two thirds (66.66%) of the neonates were delivered through the vagina and all neonates were administered the combination of ampicillin and gentamicin as a first line. Majority of the patients were admitted and stayed in the hospital for less than five days accounting 234 (76.48%). Majority of the patients with 276 (90.19%) were recovered and discharged. During the study period, a total of 12 (3.92%) mortality was recorded.

Conclusion: Empirical treatment was the mainstay for management of neonatal sepsis in this setup. Even though the majority of the neonates were improved and discharged, still there is a higher rate of death. Health policy makers should have to focus on the prevention of risk factors rather than treating the underline disease.

Published Date: 2019-01-18; Received Date: 2018-12-31