Septicemia and meningitis

Abstract

We reviewed the 20 cases of neonatal septicemia diagnosed at HospItal Infantil, Medellin, Colombia, between 1981 and 1986. Eleven were premature babies; in 12 septicemia had an early onset. In 5 the Infective agent was Klebsiella spp. and in another 5 It was a gram negative bacillus different from either Klebsiella or. Escherichia coli. Seven patients died, of whom 6 had been infected with gram negative bacilli. In 5 septicemia was complicated with meningitis, 4 of which occurred In cases with early onset. Relative Risk for death due to septicemia was greater among patients undergoing surgical procedures to correct congenital malformations and in those suffering from perinatal hypoxia. The risk for development of meningitis was greater among patients with early onset septicemia. We conclude that a change is taking place in the etiology of neonatal sepsis In than gram negative bacilli, different from Escherichia coli are now predominant.