Utility of qualitative C- reactive protein assay and white blood cells counts in the diagnosis of neonatal septicaemia at Bugando Medical Centre, Tanzania

Table 1 Distribution of demographic characteristics of neonates with sepsis

Child’s characteristic	Number	Percent (%)
*Sex*
Female	149	48.9
Male	156	51.2
*Age*
≤ 72 hours	224	73.4
> 72 hours	81	26.6
*Mode of delivery*
Caesarean section	67	22
Spontaneous vertex delivery	238	78
*Birth weight*
Very low birth weight	18	5.9
Low birth weight	73	23.9
Normal birth weight	214	70.2
*Gestation age*
Premature	69	22.6
Full term	236	77.4
*Hospital delivery*
Yes	275	90.2
No	30	9.8
Convulsion
Yes	31	10.2
No	274	89.8
Jaundice
Yes	59	19.3
NO	249	80.7
Poor feeding
Yes	182	59
No	123	40.3
Oxygen saturation
<90%	133	43.6
>90%	172	56.4
Body temperature
Hypothermia	96	31.5
Normal	23	7.5
Hyperthermia	186	61.0

ISSN: 1471-2431