Predictors of Palatnik et al for Early-Onset Neonatal Sepsis or Death for a Premature Neonate Born at Less than 32 Weeks of Gestation

Patient selection: gestational age less than 32 weeks

Predictors of early-onset neonatal sepsis:

(1) presence of meconium-stained amniotic fluid at delivery (OR 3.6)

(2) no antibiotics administered during labor (OR for administering antibiotics 0.32)

(3) fever during labor (temperature >= 38°C; OR 3.38)

Predictors for death during the first week of life:

(1) presence of meconium-stained amniotic fluid at delivery (OR 1.9)

(2) fever during labor (temperature >= 38°C; OR 1.8)

(3) gestational age at delivery (OR 0.84; gestational age < 28 weeks)

Additional factor:

(1) lower birth weight (which is impacted by gestational age)