Late Onset Neonatal Sepsis in Sudan: Incidence, Bacteriological Profiles, Patterns of Antimicrobial resistance and Fatality

Neonatal sepsis refers to systemic and generalized bacterial infection of newborns, documented by a positive blood culture in the first 4 weeks of life with high mortality rates in developing countries. It is characterized by fever, hypothermia, malaise, tachycardia, hyperventilation, toxicity and/or prostration which results from circulating multiplying bacteria. Neonatal sepsis is an important cause of mortality and morbidity and is a life-threat ening emergency where prompt antibiotics treatment is essential for favorable outcomes. It accounts for 30-50% of total neonatal deaths each year. Neonatal sepsis is classified into early (EOS) and late onset (LOS) on the basis of presentation within 72 hours or after 72 hours to 30 days of life respectively. The timing of the transition from EOS to LOS is not clear-cut and depends on the causative pathogen. The causative organisms of neonatal sepsis vary from Academic Journal of Pediatrics & Neonatology ISSN 2474-7521