Neonatal sepsis definitions from randomised clinical trials.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Neonatal sepsis is a leading cause of infant mortality worldwide with non-specific and varied presentation. We aimed to catalogue the current definitions of neonatal sepsis in published randomised controlled trials (RCTs).

Method

A systematic search of the Embase and Cochrane databases was performed for RCTs which explicitly stated a definition for neonatal sepsis. Definitions were sub-divided into five primary criteria for infection (culture, laboratory findings, clinical signs, radiological evidence and risk factors) and stratified by qualifiers (early/late-onset and likelihood of sepsis).

Results

Of 668 papers screened, 80 RCTs were included and 128 individual definitions identified. The single most common definition was neonatal sepsis defined by bloo

SUBMITTER: Hayes R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10132965 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature