Late-Onset Sepsis in Very Low Birth Weight Premature Infants: A 10-Year Review of a Brazilian Tertiary University Hospital-the Challenge Remains.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the incidence of late-onset sepsis (LOS), associated risk factors, and short-term prognosis in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants in a 10-year period.

Study Design: A cohort study was conducted with 752 VLBW preterm infants-23 to 33 gestational weeks and 400 to 1,500 g birth weight-admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit from 2008 to 2017 and who survived over 72 hours. LOS was defined as clinical and laboratory signs of infection, whether or not confirmed by blood culture.