Neonatal Sepsis: A European Neonatal Infection Surveillance Network

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.