Neonatal Sepsis: A European Neonatal Infection Surveillance Network

C. Kortsalioudaki, D. Gkentzi, S. Vergnano, I. Christopoulou, G. Dimitriou, P.T. Heath, on behalf of the Neonatal Infection Surveillance Network (neonIN)
5th Panhellenic Neonatal
Athens, Greece, May 10-11, 2014

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Infection is a major cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Infections due to Gram-negative (GN) organisms are increasing, although the epidemiology may differ across Europe. The aim of this study was to compare organisms causing neonatal infection in UK and Greek units.

METHODS: NeonIN is a web-based, surveillance database capturing information on culture proven neonatal infections. Data from 2012 were extracted. Early-onset (EOS) and late-onset (LOS) sepsis were defined as cases occurring within 48hrs and after 48hrs of birth respectively.

RESULTS: 389 episodes of BSI (involving 280 infants) were identified from 12 NNUs in UK vs 44 episodes (involving 32 infants) from a single tertiary unit in Greece. Incidence was 8.6/1000 live-births and 68.8/1000 NNU-admissions vs 6.2/1000 live-births and 118/1000 in UK and Greek units respectively; 55% were male in UK and 65% in Greece. Median gestational-age (GA) was 29wks (24-40wks) and median birth-weight (Bwt) 908g (518-3631g) in UK vs 33wks (26-39wks) and 1730 gr (890-3995g) in Greece. GN pathogens accounted for 17% of all infections and 86% of LOS in UK vs 30% and 92% respectively in Greece. The most frequent GN pathogens were E.coli in the UK and Klebsiella spp in Greece.

CONCLUSIONS: Continuous surveillance and monitoring of neonatal infections is a cornerstone for improving outcomes. With the recent addition of Estonian neonatal units, neonIN is now a European neonatal surveillance network.