Peripheral Blood Cultures, the traditional gold standard, can be difficult to obtain in Neonates and May have Limitations in Sensitivity.

Abstract

Background: Neonatal septicaemia is a major cause of neonatal mortality. While peripheral 
blood culture and sepsis screening are standard for early-onset sepsis (EOS) diagnosis, 
limitations exist. Umbilical cord blood culture (UCBC) offers advantages in early sampling. 
This study compares UCBC with sepsis screening in high-risk neonates.