Changing etiology and outcome of neonatal septicemia in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

To study the etiology of neonatal septicemia and factors associated with outcome, all charts of neonates with bacteremia and clinical sepsis admitted to a neonatal unit in Saudi Arabia, from 1 November 1980 to 31 October 1984 were reviewed. The results were compared to a previous study period in the unit (1 November 1976-31 October 1980). Septicemia was diagnosed on 50 occasions in 49 neonates. The incidence of neonatal sepsis among patients born in the hospital was 2.5/1,000 live births. Mortality from sepsis was 33% and was associated with neutropenia in 63%. The most commonly isolated bacteria were E. coli, Klebsiella and Staphylococcus aureus. Salmonella enteritidis serotypes were isolated in 4% of the cases. Group B streptococci (GBS) were isolated, for the first time, from blood of 3 neonates. Salmonella species were less frequently and GBS more often isolated than previously. GBS have now appeared as etiologic organisms in neonatal sepsis also in Saudi Arabia. Salmonella septicemia remains more common in Saudi Arabia than in the West.