Results of a strategy based on clinical observation of newborns at risk of early-onset neonatal sepsis.

Background: Serial clinical observation of asymptomatic newborns at risk of early-onset sepsis is an alternative option for which there is limited scientific evidence.

Aims: To evaluate the rate of protocol compliance, the impact on blood tests, percentage of hospitalizations and subsequent procedures, and course of diagnosed early-onset sepsis cases of a protocol based on serial clinical observation.

Methods: Retrospective observational study comparing an 18-month period under this protocol against a previous protocol based on laboratory tests.