[Epidemiological study of severe sepsis in a newborn intensive care unit].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence and outcome of severe sepsis in Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and to characterize their demographics and infection pattern.


METHODS
Characteristics of 243 newborns admitted to NICU from June 1st, 2006 to May 31st, 2007 were retrospectively analyzed.


RESULTS
Analysis of data derived from 243 newborns admitted to NICU over an 1-year period with 48 (19.8%) cases diagnosed as severe sepsis, and 70.8% of them were males. The median age of severe sepsis patients was 2 (1-6 ) days. In 56.3% of the patients bacteria were isolated, and E. coli was the predominant microbe. PRISM score and mortality rate were higher in those with severe sepsis, while their Apgar score was lower than other cases. The overall hospital mortality of severe sepsis was 45.8%. Risk factors for hospital mortality included higher PRISM score, severe organ dysfunction, circulatory system dysfunction, and hematological or central nervous system dysfunction.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that severe sepsis is a common, frequently fatal morbid condition in critical ill newborns in NICU, showing similar disease pattern with other investigations. Further multiple-center investigations are helpful to prevent, control and salvage critically ill children suffering from severe sepsis.
Chen
Zheng
Z
Department of NICU, the Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China.
Cheng
Bao-li
BL
Wang
Chun-xiao
CX
Cheng
Xiao-ying
XY
Shi
Li-ping
LP
Fang
Xiang-ming
XM
Du
Li-zhong
LZ
Shu
Qiang
Q
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018805:Sepsis / Q000453:epidemiology*