A study of 214 neonates with infection in the Maternity and Children's Hospital of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

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Abstract
SUMMARY This is a prospective study of 214 neonates admitted with suspected infection to the Maternity and Children's Hospital in Riyadh over the 15 months period, February 1980 to May 1981. Many of the infants showed clinical evidence of severe infection and 48 (22·4%) died, the highest mortality being among the low birth weight group, preterms and light-for-dates (33·3%). The infants tended to be from a low socio-economic class and bottle or mixed fed. The majority of their mothers were illiterate and many sought medical advice at a late stage. Recommendations are put forward to ensure that this vulnerable group receives a better standard of health education.