Benefit of microbiological investigations of amniotic fluid and neonatal skin swab during caesarean section

Background: Bacterial cultures of amniotic fluid and surface swabs of the neonate are routinely performed during caesarean section in many hospitals to identify infants who develop infection during the first days of life. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of the bacteriological investigation of the amniotic fluid or the surface swab for predicting a neonatal infection. Patients and methods: In a retrospective study over a period of 24 months (July 2003-June 2005), we analyzed the data of 1540 neonates delivered by caesarean section. The isolated bacteria of the amniotic fluid and sur…