Clinical Treatment Outcomes of Neonatal Sepsis in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Wollega University Teaching and Referral Hospital, Nekemte Town, Western Ethiopia

Background: Neonatal sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response syndrome in the presence of or as a result of suspected or proven infection in a neonate. It is a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, particularly in developing countries. The clinical outcomes of neonatal sepsis vary in different hospitals with different setups. Methods: Hospital-based prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 306 neonates at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Wollega university teaching and Referral Hospital for two months from June 1 to August 30, 2018. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 windows. Tools like a review of secondary data, interview and observation were employed to collect the data Results: Among 306 neonates included in this study, 133 (43.46%) were males and 92.5% had the weight of 2.5 kg-4 kg. Among the total study 306 neonates, 231 (75.5%) were diagnosed as early onset neonatal sepsis and 75 (24.5%) were diagnosed with late-onset neonatal sepsis. Majority of the patients, 294 (96.08%) were diagnosed with empirically and 96 (31.37%) neonates were born from mother with urinary tract infection during delivery. About two thirds (66.66%) of the neonates were delivered through the vagina and all neonates were administered the combination of ampicillin and gentamicin as a first line. Majority of the patients were admitted and stayed in the hospital for less than five days accounting 234 (76.48%). Majority of the patients with 276 (90.19%) were recovered and discharged. During the study period, a total of 12 (3.92%) mortality was recorded. Conclusion: Empirical treatment was the mainstay for management of neonatal sepsis in this setup. Even though the majority of the neonates were improved and discharged, still there is a higher rate of death. Health policy makers should have to focus on the prevention of risk factors rather than treating the underline disease.