1MBBS DNB Pediatrics, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, SMBT Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Dhamangaon, Nashik. Email: prasanna.parashare@gmail.com
2MBBS MD Pediatrics, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, SMBT Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Dhamangaon, Nashik
3MBBS MD Pediatrics, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, SMBT Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Dhamangaon, Nashik
4MBBS MD Pediatrics, Professor, Department of Pediatrics, SMBT Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Dhamangaon, Nashik
5MBBS MD Pediatrics, Professor, Department of Pediatrics, SMBT Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Dhamangaon, Nashik
*Corresponding Author: Dr Prasanna Parashare, MBBS DNB Pediatrics, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, SMBT Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Dhamangaon, Nashik. Email: prasanna.parashare@gmail.com
Background: Early identification of neonates at high risk of adverse outcomes is crucial for timely intervention in neonatal sepsis. Clinical signs and simple laboratory markers may help in early risk stratification, particularly in resource-limited settings.
AimandObjectives: To determine the immediate outcomes (recovery or mortality) among neonates with sepsis and to evaluate the association of clinical and biochemical parameters with mortality.
Methods: A retrospective record-based study was conducted among 92 neonates admitted with clinical or culture-proven sepsis. Antenatal, perinatal, clinical, and biochemical variables were analyzed. Their association with immediate outcomes (recovery or death) was assessed using Chi-square or Fisher's exact test, followed by multivariable logistic regression to identify independent predictors of mortality.
Results: Several clinical variables showed significant association with mortality on univariate analysis, including hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, metabolic acidosis, sclerema, direct hyperbilirubinemia and low gestational age. Hematological and biochemical markers such as leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, low absolute neutrophil count (ANC), and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) were also significantly associated with mortality. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, presence of sclerema remained an independent predictor of mortality, whereas CRP positivity, although significant on univariate analysis, did not retain independent significance after adjustment.
Conclusion: Simple bedside clinical indicators, particularly the presence of sclerema, may serve as important predictors of mortality in neonatal sepsis. Early recognition of high-risk neonates using clinical signs supported by laboratory parameters may enable timely intervention and potentially improve outcomes.
Keywords: Neonatal Sepsis, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Mortality Predictors, Clinical and Biochemical Parameters, Neonatal Outcomes
How to cite this article: Parashare P, Chavan K, Gotey S, Jain S, Shakuntal G. Immediate Outcomes and Predictors of Mortality in Neonatal Sepsis: A Clinical and Biochemical Risk Profiling Study at a Tertiary Care Centre in Northern Maharashtra. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(12s): 242-247. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.12s.25
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None