Review of neonatal infections in University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital: common bacterial pathogens seen.

Background: Bacterial infections are important causes of morbidity in the neonatal period. Therefore identification of infecting organisms and the risk factors for possible bacterial infection in the newborn is of great importance. Institution early appropriate therapy is an important step in combating morbidity and mortality in this age group.

Methods: Medical records of patients admitted into the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) were reviewed over a 5-yaer period (1995-1999)

Results: Of the 1,304 newborn admissions over the study period, 813 (62.3%) had risk factors for neonatal infections. Staphyloccus aureus (46.2%) was the predominant organism isolated from blood culture, followed by Klebsiella spp (24.8%). Streptococcus pneumoniae and Pseudomonas are the least encountered in this series. Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Streptococcus pneumoniae were the predominant pathogens in pyogenic meningitis. Most of the delivery occurred outside the teaching hospital, even those that delivered in the hospital, some come in during labour.

Conclusion: Neonatal bacterial infections are still a cause of high morbidity and mortality of the newborn in our setting. To reduce the morbidity and mortality from neonatal bacterial infections, mothers need to attend antenatal clinic, so that those who at risk can be taken care off immediately.