Early onset sepsis: clinical observation or risk factors approach?

Objectives: To compare the perinatal risk factors approach for early-onset sepsis (EOS), which is based on categorical risk stratification, with the clinical observation-based approach, evaluating their impact on laboratory testing frequency, the use of antibiotic therapy, and EOS incidence.

Methods: Retrospective observational study, conducted from November 2021 to March 2022. Newborns (NB) at 34 wk of age were included and clinical data from prenatal care, birth, hospitalization, and laboratory tests were evaluated.