Early neonatal sepsis: prevalence, complications and outcomes in newborns with 35 weeks of gestational age or more.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the incidence, complications, and hospital discharge status in newborns with ≥35 weeks of gestational age with early neonatal sepsis. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, retrospective study. Cases of early-onset sepsis registered from January 2016 to December 2019 in neonates with gestational age of 35 weeks or more were reviewed in a level III neonatal unit. The diagnoses were performed based on the criteria by the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa), and the episodes were classified according to microbiological classification and site of infection. The following complications were evaluated: shock, coagulation disorders, and sequelae of the central nervous system. The conditions at hospital discharge were also assessed. The collected data were analyzed with the descriptive analysis. RESULTS: In the period, early neonatal sepsis occurred in 46 newborns, corresponding to 1.8% of all newborns admitted to the neonatal unit, with a prevalence of 4/1,000 live births. Culture confirmed sepsis ocurred in three patients (0.3/1,000 live births), with the following agents: S. pneumoniae, S. epidermidis and S. agalactiae. As to site of infection, there were 35 cases of primary bloodstream infection, seven cases of pneumonia and four cases of meningitis. Most patients (78.3%) had at least one risk factor for sepsis, and all were symptomatic at admission. There were no deaths. Complications occurred in 28.2% of the cases, especially shock (10 cases - 21.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of proven early neonatal sepsis was low. Despite the common occurrence of complications, there were no deaths.

Effectiveness of a measure program to prevent admission hypothermia in very low-birth weight preterm infants.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a thermoregulation bundle for preventing admission hypothermia in very low-birth weight preterm infants. METHODS: Interventional study with retrospective evaluation of data undertaken in a tertiary neonatal unit including all very low-birth weight preterm infants (<1500g) born at and admitted to the unit. Two periods were compared: before intervention (PI; 01/01/2012 to 02/28/2014_ and after intervention (PII; 04/01/2014 to 11/30/2016). The intervention started in March 2014. At PI procedures in the delivery room were: placement in a crib with a radiant heat source, doors always closed, polyethylene body plastic bag, double cap (plastic and cotton mesh), room temperature between 24 to 27°C and transport to neonatal unit in a pre-heated incubator (36-37.0°C). At PII, there was a reinforcement on not opening the plastic bag during the entire resuscitation process, even at an advanced stage, and the anthropometric measures and routine care were performed in the neonatal unit. Maternal, delivery, and neonatal variables were compared. Admission hypothermia was considered when admission axillary temperature was <36.0°C. Periodic results were shown to the team every six months and results were discussed. RESULTS: The incidence of admission hypothermia was reduced significantly in PII (37.2 vs. 14.2%, p<0.0001) and admission temperature medians were higher (36.1 vs. 36.5°C, p<0.001). At PII, there was an increase in the number of infants transported with oxygen (49.5 vs. 75.5%, p<0.0001). No differences were observed regarding birth weight and gestational age. CONCLUSION: There was a very important reduction in admission hypothermia incidence and a higher median admission temperature after continued protocol implementation.

Early neonatal sepsis: prevalence, complications and outcomes in newborns with 35 weeks of gestational age or more / Sepse neonatal precoce: prevalência, complicações e desfechos em recém-nascidos com 35 semanas ou mais de idade gestacional

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the incidence, complications, and hospital discharge status in newborns with ≥35 weeks of gestational age with early neonatal sepsis. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, retrospective study. Cases of early-onset sepsis registered from January 2016 to December 2019 in neonates with gestational age of 35 weeks or more were reviewed in a level III neonatal unit. The diagnoses were performed based on the criteria by the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa), and the episodes were classified according to microbiological classification and site of infection. The following complications were evaluated: shock, coagulation disorders, and sequelae of the central nervous system. The conditions at hospital discharge were also assessed. The collected data were analyzed with the descriptive analysis. Results: In the period, early neonatal sepsis occurred in 46 newborns, corresponding to 1.8% of all newborns admitted to the neonatal unit, with a prevalence of 4/1,000 live births. Culture confirmed sepsis ocurred in three patients (0.3/1,000 live births), with the following agents: S. pneumoniae, S. epidermidis and S. agalactiae. As to site of infection, there were 35 cases of primary bloodstream infection, seven cases of pneumonia and four cases of meningitis. Most patients (78.3%) had at least one risk factor for sepsis, and all were symptomatic at admission. There were no deaths. Complications occurred in 28.2% of the cases, especially shock (10 cases - 21.7%). Conclusions: The prevalence of proven early neonatal sepsis was low. Despite the common occurrence of complications, there were no deaths.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar a prevalência, as complicações e as condições de alta dos recém-nascidos ≥35 semanas com diagnóstico de sepse neonatal precoce. Métodos: Estudo transversal, com coleta retrospectiva de dados. Incluíram-se todos recém-nascidos com 35 semanas ou mais de idade gestacional, com diagnóstico de sepse precoce em um período de quatro anos (janeiro/2016 a dezembro/2019) em uma unidade neonatal nível III. Os diagnósticos realizaram-se segundo os critérios da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária e os episódios classificados segundo a confirmação microbiológica e o sítio de infecção. As complicações avaliadas foram: choque, distúrbio de coagulação e sequelas do sistema nervoso central. Também se avaliaram as condições de alta. Os dados coletados foram analisados utilizando estatística descritiva. Resultados: No período, 46 recém-nascidos apresentaram sepse precoce, correspondendo a 1,8% das internações e a uma prevalência de 4/1.000 nascidos vivos. Em três pacientes a sepse foi confirmada por culturas (0,3/1.000 nascidos vivos), respectivamente por S. pneumoniae, S. epidermidis e S. agalactiae. Quanto ao sítio de infecção, foram 35 casos de infecção primária da corrente sanguínea, 7 casos de pneumonia e 4 de meningite. A maior parte dos pacientes (78,3%) possuía pelo menos um fator de risco para sepse, e todos apresentaram-se sintomáticos. Não houve óbito. Complicações ocorreram em 28,2% dos casos, especialmente choque (10 casos - 21,7%). Conclusões: A prevalência de sepse neonatal precoce comprovada foi baixa. Apesar da ocorrência comum de complicações, não houve óbitos.

Effectiveness of a measure program to prevent admission hypothermia in very low-birth weight preterm infants / Efetividade de um programa de medidas para prevenção de hipotermia à admissãoem recém-nascidos pré-termo de muito baixo peso

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a thermoregulation bundle for preventing admission hypothermia in very low-birth weight preterm infants. Methods: Interventional study with retrospective evaluation of data undertaken in a tertiary neonatal unit including all very low-birth weight preterm infants (<1500 g) born at and admitted to the unit. Two periods were compared: before intervention (PI; 01/01/2012 to 02/28/2014_ and after intervention (PII; 04/01/2014 to 11/30/2016). The intervention started in March 2014. At PI procedures in the delivery room were: placement in a crib with a radiant heat source, doors always closed, polyethylene body plastic bag, double cap (plastic and cotton mesh), room temperature between 24 to 27 ºC and transport to neonatal unit in a pre-heated incubator (36-37.0 ºC). At PII, there was a reinforcement on not opening the plastic bag during the entire resuscitation process, even at an advanced stage, and the anthropometric measures and routine care were performed in the neonatal unit. Maternal, delivery, and neonatal variables were compared. Admission hypothermia was considered when admission axillary temperature was <36.0 ºC. Periodic results were shown to the team every six months and results were discussed. Results: The incidence of admission hypothermia was reduced significantly in PII (37.2 vs. 14.2%, p < 0.0001) and admission temperature medians were higher (36.1 vs. 36.5 ºC, p < 0.001). At PII, there was an increase in the number of infants transported with oxygen (49.5 vs. 75.5%, p < 0.0001). No differences were observed regarding birth weight and gestational age. Conclusion: There was a very important reduction in admission hypothermia incidence and a higher median admission temperature after continued protocol implementation.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar a efetividade de um programa de medidas para prevenção de hipotermia à admissão em recém-nascidos pré-termo de muito baixo peso. Métodos: Estudo de intervenção com coleta retrospectiva de dados em unidade neonatal terciária que incluiu todos os recém-nascidos pré-termo de muito baixo peso (< 1.500 g) nascidos e admitidos na unidade. Foram comparados dois períodos: antes da intervenção PI - 01/01/2012 a 28/02/2014 e depois da intervenção PII - 01/04/2014 a 30/11/2016. O mês de março de 2014 foi o início da intervenção. Em PI as medidas em sala de parto foram: recepção em berço de calor radiante, portas sempre fechadas, uso de saco plástico corporal, colocação de dupla touca (plástico e malha) na cabeça, temperatura ambiental entre 24-27 ºC e transporte em incubadora aquecida (36-37,0 ºC). No PII reforçou-se a não abertura do saco plástico durante toda reanimação mesmo que avançada e dados antropométricos e cuidados rotineiros realizados na unidade de internação. Variáveis maternas, de parto e neonatais foram comparadas entre os dois períodos. Hipotermia à admissão foi considerada quando temperatura axilar < 36,0 ºC. Resultados parciais foram apresentados e discutidos com a equipe semestralmente. Resultados: A incidência da Hipotermia à admissão diminuiu significativamente em PII (37,2 x14,2%, p < 0,0001) e a mediana de temperatura foi mais elevada (36,1x36,5º C, p < 0,001). Houve aumento significativo do número de crianças transportadas com oxigênio em PII (49,5 x 75,5%, p < 0,0001). Não houve diferenças para peso ao nascer e idade gestacional. Conclusão: Houve redução acentuada de Hipotermia à admissão e melhora na mediana da temperatura de admissão hospitalar em recém-nascidos pré-termo de muito baixo peso após implantação do protocolo.