Rick factors for early infection in levels I and II neonatal nursery

Abstract

To evaluate the perinatal risk factors for early infection in general and to identify the "high risk" factors among them, a prospective cohort study was conducted in levels I and II of neonatal nursery of Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian from 1st January to 31st May 1991. Four hundred and thirty neonates having at least one risk factor and 56 without any risk factor were included in the study. The incidence of infection was not significantly higher in the neonates with risk factors than those without them (P>0.072). "Prematurity" was found to be "high risk" factor whereas "small for gestational age" carried some risk. All the newborns admitted because of these risk factors should be evaluated for evidence of infection. Neonates with "high risk" factors should be treated as infected until proved otherwise. Further studies are required to assess the relative risk of other factors such as "prelabour rupture of foetal membranes > 12 hours", "foul smelling of liquor", "instrumentation during delivery", "emergency Caesarean section", prolonged labour", "hypoxia", "meconium staining of amniotic fluid" and "maternal pyrexia".