Outcome prediction for late-onset sepsis after premature birth.

Background: Our aim was to develop a quantitative model for immediately estimating the risk of death and/or brain injury in late-onset sepsis (LOS) in preterm infants, based on objective and measurable data available at the time sepsis is first suspected (i.e., time of blood culture collection).

Late-Onset Sepsis Mortality among Preterm Infants: Beyond Time to First Antibiotics.

To investigate the impact of timing, in vitro activity and appropriateness of empirical antimicrobials on the outcome of late-onset sepsis among preterm very low birth weight infants that are at high risk of developing meningitis. This retrospective study included 83 LOS episodes in 73 very low birth weight infants born at ≤32 weeks' gestation with positive blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid culture or polymerase chain reaction at >72 h of age. To define the appropriateness of empirical antimicrobials we considered both their in vitro activity and their ideal delivery through the blood-brain barrier when meningitis was confirmed or not ruled out through a lumbar puncture.