Risk Factors Associated with Early and Late-onset of Neonatal Sepsis in Duhok City

Backgrounds and objectives: Neonatal sepsis refers to bacterial, fungal, protozoan infections or any viral agents or pathogens which inter to the newborns bloodstream after the birth. Neonatal Sepsis is the main reason of deaths in non-developed countries. There is an overall prevalence of 54.67% in Iraq. The present study intends to explore the demographic and clinical affecting factors of early and late onset of neonatal sepsis of a sample population in Duhok city. The predictors of neonatal sepsis diagnosis were determined accordingly.Methods: This cross-sectional study shows 110 neonates who were diagnosed with early or late onset of neonatal sepsis. A paediatrician diagnosed the patients through physical and clinical assessment.Results: The prevalence of early and late onset of neonatal sepsis was 52.73% and 47.7%, respectively. The Apgar scores of less than seven and more than seven were risk factors for early and late-onset of neonatal sepsis, prolonged rupture of the membranes greater than18 hours and multiple gestations are common in patients with early onset of neonatal sepsis.Conclusions: The study showed that the early onset of neonatal sepsis or late-onset of neonatal sepsis was associated with Apgar score and prolonged rupture of the membranes.