Value of perinatal characteristics for diagnosis of perinatal infections

: A retrospective case control study was performed in order to evaluate the diagnostic validity of clinical and paraclinical signs for early detection of neonatal sepsis. The perinatal data of 45 newborns with sepsis on day 1 or 2 (early perinatal sepsis) after birth were compared with those of 34 newborns with sepsis on day 3 and 4 (late perinatal sepsis) and with 87 newborns as controls. The groups were comparable in respect of birth weight (1,972-2,114 g), gestational age (33.3-33.5 weeks), gender (prevalence of male), frequency of prematures (82-91%) and mode of delivery. In cases of early perinatal sepsis a significant higher incidence of fetal tachycardia was found (heart rate > 160/min in 50% versus 5% in late perinatal sepsis and 8% in controls respectively), of reduced fetal heart oscillation (56% versus 14 and 38%) and of loss of acceleration (76% versus 56 and 20%) in the CTG ante partum. Therefore, these signs have proved to have a better diagnostic validity for infection than premature rupture of membranes, a prolonged rupture of membranes and the chorioamnionitis. Another predominant finding was the significant greater need for resuscitation due to asphyxia (48% in early sepsis versus 14 and 7%) despite missing differences in pH of blood in umbilical artery at birth (7.28 +/- 0.07). The occurrence of such signs supports a suspicion of a fetal sepsis.