[Value of gastric fluid to start antibiotics in premature babies suspected of having early neonatal bacterial infection]. / Intérêt du liquide gastrique dans la décision d'antibiothérapie du nouveau-né prématuré suspect d'infection bactérienne précoce.

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to evaluate the value of direct examination and culture of gastric fluid in the treatment of early neonatal bacterial infections (INBP) in pre-term infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Observational study conducted over 6 months in a Type III center. All hospitalized premature babies who had routine gastric fluid sampling at birth during the period of the study were included. They were classified into two groups premature infants with probable or suspected infection and treated as such (Group 1) and premature infants with no infection or only having colonization (Group 2). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In total, 255 pre-term infants were included in the study. Group 1 consisted of 127 newborns and group 2 consisted of 128 newborns. The direct gastric fluid examination was positive in 51 newborns in Group 1 and in 46 newborns in group 2. The culture was positive in 25 newborns in group 1 and eight newborns in group 2. Direct examination of gastric fluid of the 255 children studied had low sensitivity (40.1%) and low specificity (64%) of INBP, with 52.6% positive predictive value (PPV) and 51.8% negative predictive value (NPV). The gastric fluid culture was specific (93.7%) of the INBP, sensitivity was low (19.6%), with PPV at 75.7% and NPV at 54%. CONCLUSION: These results undermine the relevance of the direct examination of gastric fluid in the delicate diagnosis of INBP. This direct examination has a low PPV and NPV. It is advisable not to start or stop antibiotic therapy solely on this argument; however, it can guide the choice of antibiotic therapy and remains useful for this reason. The culture of gastric fluid has very good specificity (93.7%).