Evolving Trends in Late-Onset Sepsis Among Very Preterm Infants: Insights From a 14-Year Population-Based Study

Highlight

• Late-onset sepsis (LOS) incidence in very preterm infants (VPIs) decreased significantly from 2010 to 2017 but has increased from 2018 to 2023.
• The rising trend from 2018 onward is mainly driven by non-coagulase-negative staphylococci (non-CoNS) gram-positive bacteria and gram-negative bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella species.
• Coagulase-negative staphylococci remain the most frequent pathogens overall, but their incidence has not driven recent increases.
• LOS remains associated with high mortality (15.4%) in VPIs, emphasizing the ongoing need for targeted surveillance and prevention strategies.

Study Background