Neonatal septicemia in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Twenty-nine cases of neonatal septicemia from Saudi Arabia are described. A high incidence of prematurity (45%) and congenital malformations (45%) were found as predisposing factors. The mortality was 45%, mainly due to severe malformations and late referrals. Thirty-one percent of the cases grew Salmonella enteritidis species and one case of Bacteroides fragilis septicemia and meningitis is reported. Only two of the organisms isolated were sensitive to ampicillin. The importance of doing studies on neonatal septicemia on a local basis is stressed.