Brief report. Omphalitis in term and preterm appropriate for gestational age and small for gestational age infants

Abstract

To determine whether there is a difference on the historical and clinical characteristics of omphalitis among term and preterm appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and small for gestational age (SGA) infants, we prospectively investigated 85 newborns with bacteriologically proved omphalitis. Study groups were based on gestational age and being SGA. Preterm AGA infants had significantly lower mean age and neutrophil counts. Risk factors such as septic delivery including unplanned home delivery, and bacterial spectrum were similar in the groups. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were the most frequent micro-organisms. Mortality rates for the study groups were similar and overall case fatality rate was 13 per cent. Immunological immaturity of preterm newborns may explain the earlier occurrence age of omphalitis and lower absolute neutrophil count. The following features such as early-onset infection, septic delivery including unplanned home delivery and abnormal temperature may be considered as determinants of poor prognosis. However, further studies are needed.

Neonatal Omphalitis in Iraq

“…Morality rate in this study was 4(36.4%); all deaths were observed in patients with neonates who had development of systemic symptoms. That agrees with other studies that found the development of systemic symptoms in additional to home delivery, low birth weight and abnormal temperature at high risk for poor prognosis [8,9].…”

“…However, the condition remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the developing world [7]. There are only a few recent studies on neonatal Omphalitis from developing countries [7][8][9], and scarce reports from the developed world [10,11]. Although, reliable estimates of the incidence of Omphalitis are not available [7,10,11].…”

Changing spectrum of neonatal omphalitis

“…3 Necrotic tissue of the umbilical cord is an excellent medium for bacterial growth and becomes rapidly colonized by bacteria from the maternal genital tract and from the environment soon after birth. 6,7,8 There are only a few recent studies on neonatal omphalitis from developing countries 3,9,10 and scarce reports from the developed world. 5 Usually omphalitis remains a localized infection.…”

Effect of dry cord care versus chlorhexidine cord care on cord separation time in healthy newborns: A comparative study

“…In order to prevent omphalitis, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends clean, dry cord care in health facilities and at home in low neonatal mortality settings whereas chlorhexidine application over umbilical stump is recommended at home in areas with high neonatal mortality rate 6 .…”