Infections are the single largest cause of neonatal deaths globally. According to National Neonatal
Perinatal Database (2002-03), the incidence of neonatal sepsis in India was 30 per 1000 live-births;
klebsiella pneumoniae and staphylococcus aureus were the two most common organisms isolated.
Based on the onset, neonatal sepsis is classified into two major categories: early onset sepsis which
usually presents with respiratory distress and pneumonia within 72 hours of age and late onset sepsis
that usually presents with septicemia and pneumonia after 72 hours of age. Clinical features of sepsis
are non-specific in neonates and a high index of suspicion is required for timely diagnosis. Although
blood culture is the gold standard for the diagnosis of sepsis, culture reports would be available only
after 48-72 hours. A practical septic screen for the diagnosis of sepsis has been described and some
suggestions for antibiotic use have been included in the protocol