Frequency of Meningitis in Late Onset Neonatal Sepsis-A cross sectional descriptive study

Abstract

Background: Neonatal sepsis is a clinical syndrome characterized by signs and symptoms of infection with or without accompanying bacteraemia in the first month of life. It is responsible for about 30-50% of the total neonatal deaths in developing countries. Neonatal sepsis can be divided into two sub-types depending upon whether the onset of symptoms is within the first 72 hours of life (Early Onset Neonatal Sepsis) or after 72 hours of life (Late Onset Neonatal Sepsis). Meningitis is an important complication of late onset neonatal sepsis. Objectives: To observe characteristic of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) findings in Late Onset Neonatal Sepsis. Methods: It was a cross sectional descriptive study carried out in Department of Neonatology SSMCMH, Dhaka. Duration of study was November 2019 to October 2020.Total 60 neonates fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included and subjected to detailed history, clinical examination followed by investigations. All babies with LONS underwent lumbar puncture and CSF was sent to laboratory for cytology, biochemistry and culture and sensitivity. Results: Among the 60 newborn studied, mean age of neonates was 12.45 ± 7.16 days with male to female ratio of 1.1:1. Frequency of Meningitis in babies with late onset sepsis was 21.7% (13 out of 60).Conclusion: Meningitis is commonly associated with late onset neonatal sepsis hence LP should be done as standard protocol in such neonates. This study demonstrated that frequency of meningitis in late onset neonatal sepsis was 21.7% (13/60).