The comparison between management recommendations of the Neonatal Early Onset Sepsis Calculator and CDC/AAP Guidelines among culture-proven early onset sepsis admitted at University of East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center from January 2013 to Dece

Jacqueline  D. Bernabe,; Angelia Septiane  Beandda,; Katherine Mae  A. Doctor,

The comparison between management recommendations of the Neonatal Early Onset Sepsis Calculator and CDC/AAP Guidelines among culture-proven early onset sepsis admitted at University of East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center from January 2013 to Dece

Angelia Septiane Beandda | Katherine Mae A. Doctor | Jacqueline D. Bernabe

Abstract:

Introduction Early onset sepsis is difficult to diagnose due to nonspecific symptoms and a lack of reliable tests. It can progress quickly, and lead to neurodevelopmental consequences or be fatal if not treated. However, approximately 10-fold more newborns are treated with antibiotics empirically and often unnecessarily. This study aimed to compare the management recommendations of the Neonatal Early Onset Sepsis Calculator with those of the Centers for Disease Control/American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines. Methods Neonatal Early Onset Sepsis Calculator was applied to the data set to examine how an alternative model would perform compared to current guidelines published by the CDC and compared to current practice within the institution. Chi square and kappa value agreement was used to determine the difference between treatment recommendations of NEOS calculator and AAP guideline. Results Of the 330 patients who received therapy, only 14.2% were recommended empiric antibiotics by the EOS calculator, compared to the 39% recommended by the CDC guidelines (p < 0.001, ? = 0.372). Eleven patients were identified to have culture-positive sepsis. Conclusion The number of infants suspected with EOS and subsequently require antibiotic use at birth may be dramatically reduced with the use of the neonatal EOS calculator.