Neonatal sepsis in pregnant at term with clinical chorioamnionitis, utility of sepsis score

Abstract

Introduction: chorioamnionitis occurs in 3 to 10 % of full-term pregnancies, and newborns are at risk of developing early sepsis. Objectives: to determine the prevalence of neonatal sepsis in children of term pregnant women with chorioamnionitis; describe the clinical characteristics of mothers and newborns; and evaluate the utility of the sepsis scale (Rodwell scale and PCR) for diagnosis. ISSN 2072-8174 versión impresa Rev. Nac. (Itauguá). 2020;12(1):071-090 ISSN 2307-3640 versión online Rev. Nac. (Itauguá). 2020;12(1):071-090 Methodology: descriptive study, of term newborns, product of mothers with clinical chorioamnionitis, born and admitted to the Servicio de Neonatología del Hospital Nacional from January 2013 to June 2016. Stillbirths, carriers of STORCH infections, and they had no blood culture. Results: 71 term infants met inclusion criteria. The maternal population was made up of adolescents and young adults in 98,5 %, nulliparous and prim parous in 94 %, membrane rupture was >18 hours in 34 (47,8 %) and the birth was performed by caesarean section in 24 (35, 2 %). The reasons for cesarean section were stationary dilation and acute fetal distress in 17 (69,8 %). Neonatal sepsis developed 11 (15,4 %), 3 were confirmed with a positive blood culture, 10 symptoms and 7 depression at birth. Neither died. The first sepsis scale performed at 3,8 ± 1,8 hours of life, and the second at a median of 45,5 hours, had a positive predictive value of 50 % and 60 %. The negative predictive value was 85 and 87 % respectively. Conclusion: neonatal sepsis presented in 15,4 %. Almost all were symptomatic and depressed at birth. The sepsis scale was not useful to confirm the diagnosis, but to rule it out.