SEPTICAEMIA OF THE NEWBORN, ASSOCIATED WITH RUPTURED FOETAL MEMBRANES. DISCOLOURED AMNIOTIC FLUID OR MATERNAL FEVER

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Abstract
The incidence of neonatal septicemia associated with prolonged rupture of fetal membranes, discolored amniotic fluid and/or maternal fever was investigated. A total of 807 blood cultures were performed on 329 neonates, the placental end of 239 umbilical cords and on 239 mothers. In 97% of the neonates with a complicated delivery there was no evidence of septicemia. Septicemia was verified in 3% of the infants and was intimately associated with low birth weight (P = 0.02), neonatal asphyxia (P < 10-4), clinical evidence of septicemia (P < 10-4) and maternal fever (P = 0.002). The incidence was particularly high in premature infants with neonatal asphyxia (27%) and in neonates born to febrile mothers (20%). None of the mothers showed any evidence of septicemia, and hematogenous, transplacental spread of infection to the child was not seen. Routine prophylactic antibiotic therapy in neonates with a complicated delivery should therefore be reserved for those infants at high risk of infection.

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