CORRELATION BETWEEN UMBILICAL CORD BLOOD CULTURE AND PERIPHERAL VENOUS BLOOD CULTURE IN DIAGNOSING EARLY ONSET NEONATAL SEPSIS.

Abstract

The most common cause of neonatal mortality worldwide is neonatal sepsis.¹ It is responsible for around 3 million neonatal deaths annually, with a neonatal mortality rate of roughly 23.9 per 1000 live births.² National Neonatal-Perinatal Database 2002– 2003 showed that 2219 out of 145623 (67%) neonates had EONS. Early onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) appears 72 hours or earlier in life and usually presents as pneumonia and respiratory distress.³ The mother's vaginal tract is typically the source of this infection, implying a vertical transmission of pathogens during the intrapartum period.⁴

To decrease the rates of neonatal morbidity and mortality, early detection of sepsis is necessary for the timely administration of antibiotics.⁵ Even though peripheral venous blood culture (PVBC) is considered the gold standard for diagnosing neonatal sepsis, it is a painful and challenging procedure that involves expertise. Additionally, peripheral blood culture sensitivity varies, primarily as a result of insufficient volume of blood collected, intrapartum antibiotics and giving antibiotics to the neonate before sample collection.^6,7 Repeated phlebotomies might also increase the chances of neonatal anaemia, especially in preterm neonates. Blood collection from heel prick, umbilical vein, central venous lines as well as arterial lines are alternative sites for blood collection.⁸ Umbilical cord blood provides an appropriate volume of blood for culture, is a painless procedure, and can be obtained as early as possible, facilitating the timely initiation of antibiotics.