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Septic Shock in Neonate: Clinical Profile and its Outcome

Article Information

A. Mannan1*, Mosammad Alpana Jahan2, Md. Arif Hossain3, Afroza Islam Shuma4, Sadeka Choudhury Moni5, Ismat Jahan6, Mohammad Kamrul Hassan Shabuj7, Mohammod Shahidullah8

1Professor, Department of Neonatology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh

2Subject Matter Specialist, Regional Roaming Team (RRT) & Newborn Knowledge Cell (NKC), Department of Neonatology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh

3Medical Officer, Department of Neonatology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh

4Medical Officer (Neonatology), Upazila Health Complex, Singair, Manikganj, Bangladesh

5Associate Professor, Department of Neonatology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh

6Assistant Professor, Department of Neonatology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh

7Associate Professor, Department of Neonatology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh

8Professor, Department of Neonatology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh

*Corresponding Author: M. A. Mannan, Professor, Department of Neonatology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Received: 01 March 2022; Accepted: 09 March 2022; Published: 24 March 2022

Citation:

M. A. Mannan, Mosammad Alpana Jahan, Md. Arif Hossain, Afroza Islam Shuma, Sadeka Choudhury Moni, Ismat Jahan, Mohammad Kamrul Hassan Shabuj, Mohammod Shahidullah. Septic Shock in Neonate: Clinical Profile and its Outcome. Journal of Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health 6 (2022): 177-187.

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Abstract

Background: Sepsis is one of the leading causes of neonatal mortality worldwide. Shock is usually accompanied with sepsis. Documentation of presentations and causative organisms is crucial to manage the newborn with septic shock.

Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the clinical profile and outcome of newborns with septic shock.

Materials and methods: This retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Neonatology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh, from January 2019 to December 2020. A total of144 neonates with septic shock were included in this study. Hospitalized inborn and out born babies were enrolled. Baseline data of selected neonates were retrieved from the registry book. Time of onset of sepsis, presentation of shock with their management and hospital outcome were collected. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 20. Statistical analysis was performed to establish the relationship between neonatal variables and outcomes with septic shock.

Results: Among 1086 admitted newborns, 536 (49.4%) developed sepsis, of which 144 (26.86%) newborns developed septic shock. The mean gestational age and birth weight were 34.32±2.88 wk and 1886.50±744.9g respectively. One hundred and eight newborns were premature and 90.3% developed sepsis at >72 hours of age. Newborns with septic shock were presented with tachycardia (100%), prolonged CRT (98.6%), cold peripheries (75%), low pulse volume (44.4%), and 38.9% newborns had low blood pressure. Culture-positive sepsis was 31.2% cases. One hundred newborns recovered from septic shock within 72 hours (69.4%) and 64.6% of newborns survived after septic shock. The predictors of outcome of mortality were male sex, age of onset of sepsis >72 hours, positive blood culture, mechanical ventilation and DIC. No variables were found significant in binary regressi

Keywords

Septic shock, Pathogens, Newborn, Outcome, Culture positive, Survivor

Septic shock articles; Pathogens articles; Newborn articles; Outcome articles; Culture positive articles; Survivor articles

Article Details

1. Introduction

Every year, 130 million babies are born worldwide and 14 million newborns die within 28 days after birth [1]. Three-quarter of newborns died in the first week and more than a quarter died in the first 24 hours [2]. In developing countries, sepsis is probably responsible for 30-50% of the total neonatal deaths each year [3]. In Bangladesh, the neonatal mortality rate is 30 per 1,000 live births [4] and sepsis accounts for 20% of neonatal death in Bangladesh [5]. Shock is a common problem in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and is defined as a condition in which there is decreased oxygenation to the tissue as a result of impaired circulation. Newborns with sepsis often develop septic shock. Premature low birth weight babies are most susceptible to develop shock. Approximately 20% of VLBW newborns admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) developed hypotension within 24 hours of admission [6]. Although the true incidence is unknown, a recent retrospective cohort study conducted over a period of 6 years found the incidence rate of septic shock 2.2 per 1,000 admissions per year. Septic shock associated with mortality was about 71% with very low birth weight newborn [7]. Some inflammatory cytokines, including IL1β, IL6, IL8, and TNFα, are elevated in septic shock [8]. The action of the inflammatory mediator results in damage to the capillary wall with loss of vascular tone, which results in dilation and reduced systemic vascular resistance with increased systemic blood flow and low to normal blood pressure. In the early stages of shock, heart rate increases as compensatory mechanism, the skin is supplied with sufficient blood and is warm (warm shock).In the later stages of shock, myocardial contraction decreases, vasocon-striction, decreased systemic blood flow, decreased pulse rate, cold peripheries and capillary refill time became prolonged (cold shock) [9]. Early diagnosis, timely administration of appropriate antibiotics and appropriate supportive care are important for improving survival and reducing long-term sequelae [10]. In a population-based study conducted by Watson and colleagues, the mortality rate was 10.3% in neonates with severe sepsis [11]. There are various predictors to assess the mortality by septic shock such as refractory shock, acute renal failure, neutropenia, increased prothrombin time, excessive bleeding, metabolic acidosis, and hypothermia [12, 13]. Septic shock is associated with high mortality and morbidity in neonates but very few data are available in Bangladesh. The objective of this study was to describe the clinical features and outcomes in neonates with septic shock.

2. Materials and Methods

This retrospective study was conducted in the department of Neonatology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), from January 2019 to December 2020. History about demographics and socioeconomic information, date of admission, mode and place of delivery, gestational age, birth weight, maternal history of PROM, antenatal corticosteroid, antibiotics used were collected from registry book. Clinical findings of neonates included signs and symptoms of septic shock like: mottled skin, temperature instability, pallor, capillary refilling time >3 sec, tachycardia, low volume pulses, cold peripheries and low blood pressure etc all data were also collected from case record form.

Sepsis was defined as clinical syndrome of systemic illness accompanied by bacteremia occurring in the first month of life [14]. Septic shock is a condition of inadequate tissue perfusion secondary to cardiovascular dysfunction occurring in the course of suspected or certain systemic infection, requiring fluid resuscitation or inotropic support [15, 16]. All patients were investigated and managed as per standard of institutional protocol for septic shock. All infants were evaluated for sepsis including septic screening, blood culture and CSF culture when indicated. The management includes appropriate appropriate fluid resuscitation, use of inotropes, empirical antibiotics and blood component transfusion. All these information’s along with duration of NICU stay, complications like AKI,DIC, discharge/death was recorded. The final outcome was considered as “survivor” and “non-survivor” from NICU. Data were analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20. Quantitative data was expressed as mean ± SD and categorical data was presented as proportion. All quantitative variables were compared by unpaired t-test; categorical variables were compared by Chi-square test. P- < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Regression analysis was performed to see relationship between the predictive factors with survivor/non-survivors.

3. Results

During the study period total no of admitted neonates were 1086. Among them, 536 newborns developed sepsis, resulting in a rate of 49.4%. Newborns who developed multiple septic episodes, single episode was taken as septic event. Total 144 (26.86%) newborns developed septic shock during the study period. Among them mean gestational age and mean birth weight was 34.32 ± 2.88 wk and 1886.50 ± 744.94 g respectively. Among the admitted neonates, ninety-six cases (66.7%) were inborn. One hundred and eight neonates (75%) were born premature. About 90.3% newborn developed sepsis >72 hours of age. The profile of antenatal factors showed that 16.7% mothers had PROM and 26.4% took antenatal antibiotics (Table 1).

Figure 1 showing the clinical features that are encountered during the time of septic shock. All neonates were presented with features of tachycardia, 98.6% with prolonged capillary refill time. About 75% had features of cold periphery followed by low pulse volume and mottled skin. Hypotension was observed in 38.9% cases. After diagnosis, all infants received treatment of shock according to institutional protocol. All patients received intravenous fluid boluses. The inotropic agents given to all patients were dopamine alone or in combination with other inotropes. Dopamine alone was given in less frequencies (26.88% vs 27.45%) compared to combination of inotropes (73.11% vs 72.54%) in the survivor and non-survivor groups respectively. Epinephrine or nor-epinephrine was given more in non-survivor group (27.1%). Hydrocortisone was also given more in non-survivor group (16%) compare to survivor group (3.8%).

Figure 2 showing the duration of recovery form septic shock. About 69.4% neonates recovered from septic shock within 72 hours with appropriate treatment, whereas 30.6% required prolonged time. Table 3 showing outcomes of neonate with septic shock. Fifty-one infants (35.4%) died during hospital stay after the onset of septic shock. In table 4, culture positive Sepsis was 45 out of 144 patients (31.2%). Among the culture positive cases, 21 were in survivor group and 24 neonates in non-survivor group; (p-.002). Univariate analysis of factors associated with mortality among neonates with septic shock showed that male sex, age of onset of sepsis >72 hours, culture positive sepsis, mechanical ventilator support and DIC were significantly related with mortality. No significant difference was found between survivors and non-survivor group for gestational age, birth weight, place of birth, maternal ACS therapy, small for gestational age, and AKI (Table 5). Logistic regression analysis was performed to find association between outcomes (survivor/non-survivor) and neonatal variables such as male sex, age of onset of sepsis >72 hours, mechanical ventilator support, disseminated intravascular coagulation and culture positive sepsis-all these variables did not show significant association (p- > 0.05) between septic shock and clinical outcome (Table 6).

Variables

No. (%)

Gestational age(weeks), Mean ± SD

34.32 ± 2.88

Birth weight (gm), Mean ± SD

1886.50 ± 744.94

Gender

Male

92 (63.9)

Female

52 (36.1)

Place of birth

Inborn

96 (66.7)

Outborn

48 (33.3)

Mode of delivery

LUCS

114 (79.2)

NVD

30 (20.8)

Classification of newborn

Preterm

108 (75)

Term

36 (25)

SGA

21 (14.6)

Age at the onset of sepsis

≤72 hours

14 (9.7)

>72hours

130 (90.3)

PROM

24 (16.7)

Antenatal steroid therapy

Complete

63 (43.7)

Incomplete

29 (20.1)

No

16 (11.1)

Antenatal antibiotics for maternal infection

38 (26.4)

Hospital stays (days), Mean ± SD

11.9 ± 7.66

Quantitative data are presented as mean ± SD and Qualitative data as the number and percentage .PROM-Premature rupture of membrane, SGA-Small for gestational age, LUCS-Lower uterine cesarean section, NVD-normal vaginal delivery.

Table 1: Baseline characteristics of neonates (n=144).

Therapeutic Interventions

Survivors (93)

Non-survivors (51)

Fluid therapy

93 (100%)

51 (100%)

Dopamine only

25 (26.88%)

14 (27.45%)

Dopamine+Dobutamine

68 (73.11%)

37 (72.54%)

Epinephrine or Nor-epinephrine

9 (12.0%)

13 (27.1%)

Hydrocortisone

3 (3.8%)

8 (16%)

Categorical data are presented as number and percentage (%).

Table 2: Therapeutic Interventions implemented for septic shock (n=144).

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Figure 1: Clinical features of septic shock in the studied population (n=144).

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Figure 2: Recovery time from septic shock (n=144).

Outcome

No

Frequency (%)

Survivors

93

64.6

Non-survivors

51

35.4

Categorical data are presented as number and percentage (%).

Table 3: Outcome of neonates with septic shock (n=144).

Blood culture

No (%)

Survivors(n=93)

Non-survivors(n=51)

p-value

Culture positive

Culture negative

45 (31.2%)

99 (68.8%)

21(22.6)

72(77.4)

24(47.1)

27(52.9)

.002

Chi-square test for categorical data. P < 0.05 considered as significant.

Table 4: Frequency of positive blood culture in neonates with septic shock (n=144).

Variables

Survivors(n=93)

Non-survivors(n=51)

p-value

Gestational age(weeks)

<34

68(73.1)

40(78.4)

0.481

>34

25(26.9)

11(21.6)

Birth weight (gm)

<1500gm

40(43.0)

20(39.2)

0.659

> 1500gm

53(57.0)

31(60.8)

Gender

Male-

53(57.0)

39(76.5)

0.02

Female

40(43.0)

12(23.5)

Place of birth

Inborn-

65(69,9)

31(60.8)

0.267

Outborn-

28(30.1)

20(39.2)

Small for gestational age-

10(11.0)

11(21.6)

0.088

Antenatal steroid therapy

24(25.8)

14(27.5)

0.83

Age at the onset of sepsis

≤72 hr

5(5.37)

9(17.64)

0.017

>72hr

88(94.62)

42(82.35)

Culture positive sepsis

21 (22.6)

24(47.1)

0.002

Required>72hoursfrom recovery of shock

28(30.10)

16(31.37)

0.875

Mechanical ventilator support

14(15.05)

15(29.41)

0.04

AKI

8(8.60)

8(15.68)

0.269

DIC

12(12.90)

18(35.29)

0.002

Chi-square test for categorical data. P - < 0.05 w considered as significant. AKI-acute kidney injury, DIC-disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Table 5: Univariate analysis of risk factors associated with mortality among neonates with septic shock (n=144).

Predictors

Mortality

OR

(95% CI)

p-value

Male Gender

0 .388

.061-2.459

0.315

Age of onset of sepsis>72hours

0.278

.015-5.302

0.395

Culture positive sepsis

0.438

.088-2.187

0.314

Mechanical ventilator support

0.933

.825-1.055

0.27

Disseminated intravascular coagulation

0 .520

.119-2.270

0.384

Statistical test by binary logistic regression

Table 6: Logistic regression analysis of risk factors associated with mortality among neonates with septic shock.

4. Discussion

Sepsis is one of the major causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality in Bangladesh. Septic shock is frequently associated with neonatal sepsis, but very few data is available. Thus, this study was conducted to find out the clinical pattern and outcome among neonates with septic shock. Department of Neonatology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), conducted this retrospective study over a period of two years. During the study period, total study sample was 144 who developed septic shock during their course of hospital stay. Mean gestational age and birth weight was 34.32 ± 2.88 wk and 1886.50±744.94 g respectively. Sujana et al found similar gestational age and birth weight in their study. They found gestational age and birth weight 35.78 ± 3.00weeks and 1.95 ± 0.65g respectively [17]. Two-third of admitted neonate was inborn and 75% were preterm neonates in our study. This institute prefers inborn admission more, thus the percentage of inborn was more. About 43.7% of cases received a complete dose of antenatal corticosteroids. The age of onset of sepsis >72 hours was in 90.3% cases. Sharma et al [18] found LONS in 43.68% cases. Yadav NS found 71.2%sepsis at age more than 3 days [19].

Our study finding is higher than those studies. Clinical features of septic shock were cold periphery, mottled skin, low pulse volume, tachycardia and prolonged CRT present in all patients in our study. Hypotension was reported in a smaller percentage because it was a late presentation of shock. The compensation mechanisms appear in the early stages of shock to maintain important organ function. This compensated phase is characterized by activation of neurohumoral factors, redistribution of blood flow to "vital" organs, including brain, heart, adrenal glands. Thus, heart rate and cardiac contractility increases which maintains blood pressure in range. During uncompensated Phase, these mechanisms fail, leading to hypotension, poor perfusion and worsening lactic acidosis due to anaerobic tissue metabolism. Without effective treatment, the shock can quickly move to an irreversible stage leading to organ failure and eventually death [20]. In this study about 69.45% neonates recovered from septic shock within 72 hours of treatment. Blood culture remains the gold standard for confirming sepsis. In this study culture positive sepsis was about 31.2% cases. Similarly, Sharma et al found culture-positivity rate 37.63% [18] while in Shah AJ et al, [21] found culture positive sepsis in 31.75%, Bhattacharjee et al, [22] found 32% and West BA et al, [23] found 41.6% had positive blood culture in their study. Awad HA et al, [24] found32.25% culture-positive and among them late onset sepsis was found in 64.6%. We found survivor rate about 64.6%. Similar findings were found in a study conducted by Wale A et al. In their study, they included 211 neonates with sepsis admitted at the NICU, where they found 67.8% has good outcomes and 32.2% had a poor outcome [25]. Kermorvant-Duchemin E et al found 40% mortality rate in their study [7]. The predictors of the outcome of mortality were male sex, age of onset of sepsis >72 hours, positive blood culture, mechanical ventilator support and DIC. These factors were significantly related with mortality in this study. The sex of the newborn was significantly associated with neonatal sepsis.

One study found that male sex were 3.7 times more likely to develop neonatal sepsis than their counterparts [26]. This finding is consistent with a study done in Australia. The risk of neonatal sepsis has been reported to be three-fold higher in male newborns compared to female newborns. However, the etiology of gender differences in the disease remains relatively uncertain and can be multifactorial as genetic, immunological, and hormonal effects play important roles [27]. Late onset sepsis was found significantly associated with poor outcomes in this study in univariate analysis. The experience of the NICHD Neonatal Research Network shows late onset sepsis is a major issue and affects 25% of infants with very low birth weight (VLBW) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Late onset Gram-negative sepsis (LONS) and meningitis are considered to be the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality [28]. In a study, hospital-acquired LOS was significantly associated with mechanical ventilation, and death (p< 0.01) and catecholamine support (OR = 3.2) were associated with death in hospital-acquired LOS [29].

5. Conclusion

In this study, 26.86% (144/536) septic neonates developed septic shock in the course of NICU stay. The common presentation of shock in newborns were tachycardia, prolonged CRT, cold peripheries, low pulse volume and mottled skin; the incidence of hypotension was 38.9%. Neonatal death after the onset of septic shock was 35.4%. Early recognition and prompt management can improve the survival of neonates.

Limitations

This study has some limitations, because of its retrospective design, we were unable to retrieve complete information for all cases of Shock.

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