Lactoferrin Versus Placebo in Prevention of Neonatal Sepsis

Abstract

Sepsis related morbidity and mortality is a concern in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Regardless of the recent improvements in the quality of neonatal assistance, infections cause 1.6 million neonatal deaths annually worldwide and more than 50% of these deaths occur in preterm or low birth weight infants in NICUs. Neonatal sepsis may be categorized as early or late onset. Eighty-five percent of newborns with early onset infection present within 24 hours, 5% present at 24-48 hours, and a smaller percentage of patients present within 48-72 hours. Onset is most rapid in premature neonates. Early onset sepsis syndrome is associated with acquisition of micro organisms from the mother. Transplacental infection or ascending infection from the cervix may be caused by organisms that colonize in the mother’s genitourinary tract, with acquisition of the microbe by passage through a colonized birth canal at delivery. Infections in preterm neonates increase their risk of death, cause prolonged exposure to antibiotics and may be associated with invasive fungal disease, feeding intolerance, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), growth failure, brain injury and cognitive or sensorineural disability, longer stays in NICUs, and greater hospital costs. Key words:LactoferrinVersus Placebo in Prevention of Neonatal Sepsis