Neonatal Sepsis Workup for High Risk Newborns - Evaluation of Need and Ways to Prevent

Sepsis is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among newborns. Due to strict criteria and in order to diagnose and prevent early-onset group B streptococcal (EOGBS) sepsis, many infants undergo a sepsis workup due to risk factors alone, even though they are asymptomatic. Our goal is to evaluate the number of newborns that undergo sepsis workup due to risk factors alone, to determine the number of newborns having positive blood cultures, and to establish ways to reduce the number of asymptomatic infants undergoing sepsis workup.

Inclusion Criteria:

Term newborns with blood cultures taken from them the first 48 hrs

Exclusion Criteria:

• Preterm newborns
• Septic/ill appearing newborns
• Newborns requiring admission to NICU