Abstract
High vaginal swabs (HVS) of 1792 expectant mothers were sent for culture at the time of delivery, prior to first vaginal examination. The newborns were followed-up for development of superficial or deep infections. Appropriate cultures of the babies who developed infections were sent. Bacterial growth of predominantly gram-ve organisms was obtained in 1026 (57%) HVS. Infection developed in 48 (27%) babies in 1 st 72 hours of life, of which 28 had deep infection while the rest had superficial infection. Vertical transmission of organisms was documented in 24 (1.3%) mother—baby dyads and the same was 72% in newborns who were at risk of developing sepsis by septicemia scoring, showing a significantly higher incidence of vertical transmission and subsequent sepsis in high risk newborns.
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Ayengar, V., Madhulika & Vani, S.N. Neonatal sepsis due to vertical transmission from maternal genital tract. Indian J Pediatr 58, 661–664 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02820186
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02820186