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Table 1 Clinical signs of neonatal sepsis and risk factors for vertical transmission

From: Evaluation of procalcitonin for diagnosis of neonatal sepsis of vertical transmission

Clinical signs

Data

   Respiratory

Tachypnea (> 70 breaths/min in preterm babies, > 60 breaths/min in neonates at term)

 

Subcostal and/or intercostal retractions

 

Grunting

 

Apnea > 10 seconds

   Haemodynamic

Cyanosis

 

Pallor

 

Hypotension (blood pressure < 2 SD of the mean for age and weight)

 

Tachycardia (> 180 beats/min)

 

Bradichardia (< 100 beats/min in preterm babies, < 80 beats/min in neonates at term)

   Digestive

Rejection of food

 

Vomiting

 

Abdominal distention

 

Hepatomegaly

 

Poor peripheral perfusion

   Haematological

Anaemia (haemoglobin < 10 g/dL in preterm babies, < 11 g/dL in neonates at term)

 

Jaundice

 

Petechiae

 

Echymoses

   Neurological

Hypotony

 

Irritability

 

Letargy

 

Convulsions

Risk factors for infection

Spontaneous premature delivery

 

Time of membrane rupture > 18 h

 

Intrapartum maternal fever > 38°C

 

Clinical chorioamnionitis (two of the following criteria: maternal fever, foetal tachycardia >140 bpm, purulent or foul-smelling amniotic fluid, uterine tenderness)

 

Previous offspring with GBS infection

 

Maternal group B streptococci colonisation

 

Prenatal use of corticosteroids