Maternal Infections and Neonatal Sepsis: A Cross-Sectional Study at General Hospital Ilorin

Abstract

Background: Neonatal sepsis remains a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality in Nigeria, with maternal infections recognized as predisposing factors, particularly in resource-limited secondary healthcare settings.

Objective: This study assessed the association between maternal infections and neonatal sepsis occurrence at General Hospital, Ilorin.

Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted among 352 postnatal mothers and 100 healthcare providers between May and July 2025 using structured questionnaires. Neonatal sepsis status was determined primarily from questionnaire responses, based on mothers’ report of a clinician-confirmed diagnosis documented during facility care. Laboratory confirmation was not consistently available. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. A secondary provider component (100 healthcare providers) was included to contextualize maternal findings and identify modifiable facility-level barriers relevant to prevention strategies. Descriptive statistics, chi square tests and logistic regression examined associations at a 5% level of significance.

Results: Neonatal sepsis prevalence was 28.6% among neonates born to mothers with infections compared with 14.2% among those without infections. Urinary tract infections (27.7%) and sexually transmitted infections (40.0%) were significantly associated with neonatal sepsis. Risk factors included
prolonged rupture of membranes, intrapartum fever, and poor antenatal care attendance. Neonatal sepsis was linked with high morbidity and a 5.9% case fatality rate.

Conclusion: Maternal infections was significantly associated with the increased risk of neonatal sepsis at General Hospital, Ilorin. Strengthening antenatal care, routine screening and treatment, and improved infection prevention practices are essential to reducing neonatal sepsis and associated mortality.