European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:Neonatal sepsis contributes significantly to neonatal morbidity and mortality and is a major public health challenge around the world.Evidence regarding its risk factors can guide clinical practice and prevention strategies. Aims and Objectives:To assess the prevalence of Sepsis and to identify the Risk factors for the Neonatal Sepsis in the unit. Patient and Methods:  A prospective observational study was planned in Neonatology Unit including Neonatal Intensive Care Unit [NICU] and Special Newborn Care Unit [SNCU] of Sri Venkateswara  Ramnarain Ruia Government General Hospital [SVRRGGH], Tirupati for a period of 1 year from the time of approval of Institutional Scientific and Ethics Committees of Sri Venkateswara Medical College, Tirupati i.e., April 2021 to March 2022. All neonates were screened and followed up. A predesigned proforma was utilised to record the observations during the study. Results: Out of 2265 admissions during study period, 471(20.72%) neonatal sepsis and 25.26% mortality has been observed. 43.9% were with Probable Sepsis. Sepsis was more seen in Male patients (56%), premature babies (64.3%), outborn (57.8%), early onset (55.6%), low birth weight babies(61.3%), CRP positive(60%), average hospital stay of 11-20 days(69.6%) and mostly discharged (74.8%). Conclusion: The neonatal sepsis and its mortality are more in the present study. Male, premature babies, low birth weight, outborn , multiple vaginal examinations, premature rupture of membranes are the predominant risk factors of Sepsis. Robustly designed Surveillance and research are the key to reduce the burden of Sepsis.