Frequency of Meningitis in Neonatal Late Onset Sepsis in Gangaram Hospital, Lahore

Abstract

Objective: Bacterial sepsis and meningitis are still major causes of morbidity and mortality in newborns all over the world, especially in premature infants. They must be recognized and treated quickly to prevent death or disability. Study Design: This prospective cross-sectional study. Period and Place of study: 6 months period in Pediatrics Department of Sir Gangaram Hospital Lahore. Materials and Methods: A total of 190neonates fulfilling the inclusion criteria (> 7 days with positive septic screen) were included and subjected to detailed history, clinical examination followed by investigations. All babies with positive septic screen underwent lumber puncture (LP) and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) was sent to laboratory for cytology and biochemistry. Results: Mean age of patients was 15.6±6 days with a male to female ratio of 1.6:1. Frequency of Meningitis in babies with late-onset sepsis was 39.5% (75 patients out of 190).  Conclusion: Meningitis is commonly associated with late onset sepsis hence LP should be done as standard protocol in such neonates and the outcome is directly proportional to the diagnosis at initial presentation.