Genital flora, prolonged rupture of the membranes and the risk of early onset neonatal septicemia in Qatif Central Hospital, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Neonatal septicemia remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in babies admitted into the neonatal units. Prolonged rupture of the membranes is associated with increased risk of neonatal septicemia #opNS#cp. The present study evaluated mother and babies for colonisation and NNS after membranes had ruptured for 24 hours or more. 15.7#pc of the mothers had GBS isolated from high vaginal swabs. 39.6#pc of the babies were already colonised at birth. Three commonest isolates from the babies were E. Coli #op15.1#pc#cp, Group B Streptococcus #opGBS ‐ 11.3#pc#cp and streptococcus faecalis #op9.4#pc#cp. The incidence of blood culture proven septicaemia was 3.8#pc. The two babies with proven septicemia had additional risk factors. It is recommended that all such babies below 34 weeks gestation be continued to be treated for possible sepsis till culture reports are available. Babies above 34 weeks with normal initial blood counts who are otherwise well can be observed till blood culture reports are available.

Key Words:

• Neonatal septicemia
• prolonged rupture of the membranes #opPROM#cp
• premature rupture of membranes #opPreROM#cp
• colonisation
• Saudi Arabia