The relationship between early onset neonatal septicaemia and mode of delivery

To determine the relationship between early-onset neonatal septicaemia and the mode of delivery among inborn neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, 376 of the 5,112 hospital born babies were studied. The caesarian birth rate was 33 per cent. Early-onset septicaemia was identified in 38 neonates. Mortality was 42 per cent among these infants.Vaginally delivered babies had a significantly higher incidence of early-onset sepsis as well as a higher mortality rate from the disease compared to those infants delive: abdominally.Gram negative enteric bacteria were the most common causative organisms. Low birth weight,prematurity and birth asphyxia increased the risk of developing early' onset neonatal septicaemia among the infants studied irrespective of the mode of delivery. Premature births were significantly more prevalent among vaginal deliveries.