Clinical Findings Leading to the Diagnosis of Sepsis in Neonates Hospitalized in Imam Khomeini and Bu Ali Hospitals, Sari, Iran: 2011-2012

BACKGROUND: One of the important diseases in neonatal period is sepsis. Clinical sign and symptoms in addition to lab tests are the most important way to accurate diagnosis and prevention of mortality. This study was conducted with the aim of determining the most clinical sign and symptoms which leading to diagnosis of sepsis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. The medical records of patients hospitalized in hospitals of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences during 2011-2012 were reviewed. Variables were age, sex, birth and admission weight, clinical sign and symptoms, methods of delivery, admission and discharge condition, discharge status, the time elapsed between showing the symptom and admission to hospital, gestational age and the result of cultures. The data were recorded in a checklist and analyzed with SPSS and descriptive statistics. RESULTS: finding showed that 120 patients discharged during period of study with diagnosis of sepsis. Discharged status of 27 (%22/5) were expired. Median age was 1 day with 8 hours SD, length of stay were 12±1 days, gestational age was 34±3 weeks and median birth weight was 2477±977 grams. The median time elapsed between showing the symptom and admission to hospital was 38±31 hours. Blood culture in 10 (%8/3) and urine culture in 8 (%7/6) patients were positive. None of patients have positive lumbar puncture culture. The frequent sign and symptpms in patients were respiratory distress, poor feeding and lethargy. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis is not possible only by specific laboratory exams. Clinical sign and symptoms can help us to prediction and diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. Results of this research revealed that it is not clear which one of manifestations was started first or the second because of medical history sheets don’t show this process.