Clinical features and risk factors of neonatal late-onset sepsis complicated by purulent meningitis

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics of neonatal late-onset sepsis (LOS) and analyze the independent risk factors for secondary neonatal purulent meningitis (NPM). Methods: This retrospective case-control study included infants diagnosed with LOS at the Children's Hospital of Soochow University between January 2018 and December 2023. The study divided the patients into two groups: the NPM group and the non-NPM group, based on the presence of secondary purulent meningitis. Clinical characteristics, laboratory markers, pathogen distribution, and treatment regimens were compared between the two groups. Independent risk factors were identified through multivariable logistic regression analysis, and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive performance. Results: < 0.05). Multivariable analysis identified prolonged fever (>3 days), fever peak >39 °C, tachypnea, PCT >10.50 ng/mL, and CK