U84-biochemical derangements in culture positive neonatal sepsis and their impact on mortality.

To study the biochemical derangements that occur in sepsis and see their impact on mortality a study was conducted in the Neonatology Section of SKIMS Soura. Out of 100 cases admitted with suspected sepsis 25 were detected to be culture positive. Metabolic acidosis was seen in 44% of cases with a mortality rate of 81.8%. Hypokalemia was seen with a 44% incidence and a 36.3% mortality rate. Hyponatremia was seen in 28% of cases with a mortality rate of 43%. Hypocalcemia was seen in 32% of cases with a 37.5% mortality rate while hypoglycemia had a 20% incidence with a 60% mortality rate. Metabolic acidosis was seen to have a significant impact on mortality in neonatal sepsis while the rest of the electrolyte abnormalities were not found to be of much statistical significance. (authors modified)