Epidemiological, Clinical and Evolutionary Profile of Newborns Hospitalised for Early-Onset Bacterial Infections in the Neonatal Unit at Béago

Introduction: Early-onset bacterial infection (EOBI) remains a major public health concern in resource-limited settings.

Objective: To describe the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic, and outcome profile of newborns hospitalized for EOBI in the neonatal unit of Béago Health Center during its first six months of operation.

Methods: This was a retrospective, descriptive, and analytical study conducted from February to July 2023 in the neonatal unit of Yopougon University Hospital, temporarily relocated to Béago. It included newborns admitted within the first 72 hours of life, presenting at least one infectious risk factor and treated for EOBI.

Results: The hospital prevalence was 54.6% (220/403). Most newborns (61.8%) were full-term, with a sex ratio of 1.2. The main risk factors were premature rupture of membranes (28.6%), home delivery (21.4%), stained or foul-smelling amniotic fluid (15.9%), and maternal fever (10.9%). Clinical signs were dominated by respiratory distress (71.8%), neurological disorders (63.2%), and fever (10.9%). Laboratory findings included abnormal white blood cell counts (26.4%), thrombocytopenia (22.7%), anemia (1.36%), and positive C-reactive protein in 66.4% of cases. Only one blood culture was positive, isolating Acinetobacter baumannii. The mortality rate was 32.7%. Death was significantly associated with respiratory distress (OR = 3.905; p = 0.006), prematurity ≤ 34 weeks (OR = 3.835; p = 0.001), and APGAR score ≤ 6 (OR = 2.363; p = 0.007).

Conclusion: In our context, clinical and biological criteria were the only truly usable indicators. Probabilistic antibiotic therapy remains the main strategy to reduce neonatal mortality, which remains unacceptably high in our settings.

Keywords: Newborns, Early-Onset Bacterial Infections, Côte d’Ivoire.