Application of Kaiser Sepsis Calculator in culture-positive infants with early onset sepsis

Background Kaiser Sepsis Calculator (KSC) reduces antibiotic use, testing and intravenous infiltrates but there are concerns about the missed early onset sepsis (EOS) cases. We sought to apply the KSC score for culture-positive infants retrospectively in infants born in the last 10 years in our hospital. Methods In a retrospective cohort study, the comparison groups were divided into Group A (no antibiotics recommended by KSC) and Group B (antibiotics recommended). Results Overall, 17/24 (71%) infants would have been started on antibiotics per KSC but 7/24 (29%) would not. The initial EOS risk was not significantly different between the groups (Group A vs. Group B: 0.44 vs. 0.76, P = 0.41), but the final risk score was (0.33 vs. 9.41, P < 0.001). In Group A (no antibiotics), 3/7 infants became symptomatic between 9 and 42 hours. Conclusion There may be a potential delay in starting antibiotics in infants that are asymptomatic at birth while using KSC.

Automated summary

There may be a potential delay in starting antibiotics in infants that are asymptomatic at birth while using KSC.