Objectives This study aims to describe the epidemiology of early onset sepsis (EOS) and its associated risk factors in a tertiary healthcare centre in the south of KSA. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of the medical records of neonates diagnosed with EOS at King Fahad Central Hospital (KFCH), Jazan, KSA. Data on the incidence, causative organisms, and related risk factors for EOS were collected. Results The incidence of EOS in our sample was 4.44 per 1,000 live births during the study period. The most frequently isolated organisms from neonates were E. coli (29%), Group B streptococcus (GBS) (17%), and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (11%). The gestational age and weight at birth of neonates who died within a week compared to those who survived were statistically different ( p values < 0.05). Finally, the percentage of neonates found to be infected with E. coli was higher among neonates with either an extremely low birth weight or very low birth weight ( p = 0.016). Conclusions Our study shows a higher incidence of EOS in KFCH in the Jazan region compared to similar clinical settings in KSA. Identifying pre-term birth weight and low birth weight as possible risk factors of early mortality of infants with EOS may necessitate the need for reassessment of antenatal care services in the region.

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This study aimed to measure the prevalence of adverse birth outcomes and associated factors among mothers from the Jazan region in Saudi, Arabia. This was a cross-sectional investigation where data was collected via a semi-structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was completed during interviews to assess data regarding the participants’ demographics, morbidity, the reported adverse birth outcomes, and maternal complications during pregnancy. Chi-squared and Fisher’s Exact tests were both used to compare the distribution of demographic and obstetric risk factors according to the historical presence of adverse birth outcomes. A total of 1315 women with a combined history of 4950 pregnancies were involved in the current investigation. The mean age of the participants was 33.1 years. The total number of adverse birth outcomes was 1009. The most frequently reported adverse birth outcome was miscarriage (12.1%), followed by premature birth (2.3%) and underweight birth (1.9%). Reports of a minimum of 1 adverse birth outcome were higher among women who reported family incomes of more than 10,000 Saudi Arabian Riyal (SAR), women who were first-degree cousins of their husbands, and women with less than a secondary level education ( P values <.05). This study found a relatively high prevalence of miscarriage. Further investigations are needed to assess factors associated with this high frequency level of miscarriage. Furthermore, these findings have preventive and clinical implications concerning pregnant women with a history of obesity, anemia, consanguinity, and hypertension. The goal is to target them with a better range of antenatal care services to reduce the incidence of potential adverse birth outcomes.