Utility of Routine Laboratory Tests for Predicting Gram-Negative Neonatal Sepsis in Low-Resource Settings Nabeeha Akram, Sabah Ali, Rasha Raheem, Shaymaa Abdulqader Scripta Medica Banja Luka, 2025 Background/Aim: Gram-negative bacteria are increasingly recognised as major pathogens in early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS). Accurate early prediction of causative agents in EONS remains challenging, particularly in low resources settings where specific diagnostic markers are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic utility of routinely performed laboratory tests in predicting Gram-negative bacterial aetiology in EONS. Methods: Retrospective study included neonates with culture proven EONS who admitted to tertiary hospital in Iraq over 12 months period. Based on result of blood culture, participants were divided into 2 groups: (Group 1): neonates diagnosed with Gram-negative bacterial sepsis, while (Group 2) involved neonates having positive bacterial growth on blood culture. Clinical characteristics and the results of routine septic screen employed included C-reactive protein (CRP) and haematologic parameters obtained from complete blood counts compared between both groups. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was plotted to evaluate the predictive value of routine laboratory tests for Gram-negative sepsis. Results: A total of eighty neonates included in the study, Gram-negative bacteria accounted for most bacterial isolates 64 (80.0 %), from which Acinetobacter baumannii was the most frequent isolates 31 (38.8 %). CRP titre was significantly higher in neonate with Gram-negative bacteria (p = 0.003), while each of absolute neutrophile count and N:L ratio was higher in Gram-positive bacteria (p = 0.03, p = 0.04, respectively). On multivariate analysis, CRP was significantly associated with Gram-negative sepsis and on ROC curve CRP titre at cutoff 19.53 demonstrated excellent prediction of Gram-negative EONS with an area under the curve of 0.933 (9 5% CI: 0.807-1.000; p = 0.009). Conclusion: Most EONS cases were due to Gram-negative bacteria, especially Acinetobacter baumannii. High CRP with low absolute neutrophil count (ANC) and N:L ratio pointed to Gram-negative sepsis. CRP > 19.5 mg/dL was a strong early predictor for Gram-negative bacterial growth in blood cultures.
Morbidity and Mortality of Premature Birth at Ramadi Teaching Hospital for Maternity and Children/West of Iraq Sabah M Ali, Rana F Shitran Acta Medica Iranica, 2024 The consequences of prematurity is a very fundamental subject. With improvement of neonatal care facilities, it still comprises a burden on health care centers, with a lot of costs and increasing mortality. To determine the morbidity and mortality of premature birth at Ramadi teaching hospital for maternity and children. A prospective cohort study was done at Ramadi teaching hospital for maternity and children/Anbar/Iraq. Data was collected from 1st July 2022 till 1st January 2023, all live births at Ramadi Teaching Hospital during that period were included. All admitted premature newborns were followed up in neonatal care unit for variable periods depending on clinical situation and those who develop complications were recorded (Respiratory distress syndrome, Intracranial hemorrhage, asphyxia, sepsis, hypoglycemia, pneumothorax) furthermore any newborn died during hospitalization period also recruited. The total number of neonates was 204. All of them were preterm babies. About 121 (59.3%) need resuscitation while 83 (40.7%) not need resuscitation. Regarding complications respiratory distress syndrome 156(76.5%), intracranial hemorrhage 9(4.4%), asphyxia 17(8.3%), sepsis 35(17.2%), hypoglycemia 22 (10.8%), pneumothorax 31(15.2%). 148 premature babies discharged well (72.5%) while 56 premature newborns died (27.5%). Result of analysis of logistic regression to determine the relationship between different risk factors and mortality shows significant association with birth weight <1500-gram Odd’s ratio (30.041), and triplet pregnancy Odd’s ratio (3.62). Respiratory distress syndrome is the most prevalent complication of preterm babies followed by sepsis. Extremely low birth weight and triplet pregnancy have significant association with preterm mortality
Clinical and laboratory characteristics of children with neurological presentations of COVID-19: a single-center experience Nabeeha Najatee Akram, Basma Adel Ibrahim, Sabah Mohsin Ali, Wassan Nori, and Journal of Medicine and Life, 2022 The study aimed to assess the frequency of neurological presentations of pediatric COVID-19 patients and compare the clinical and laboratory characteristics and the outcomes of those who presented with neurological complaints and those without complaints. A cross-sectional study enrolled 84 children diagnosed with COVID-19 at the emergency department over 12 months. All previously healthy children with a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 were included in the study. The diagnosis of COVID-19 was made by positive PCR of a nasopharyngeal swab. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 included COVID-19 patients with neurological complaints, and group 2 included COVID-19 patients with non-neurological complaints. Demographical, clinical, and laboratory characteristics were compared among groups. During the study period, 84 children aged 2 months-15years were diagnosed with COVID-19. Only 17 patients (20.2%) presented with new-onset neurological complaints. Seizure was the most common neurological complaint (58.8%), and febrile convulsion was the most frequent diagnosis of COVID-19 patients with neurological presentation (47.1%). C-reactive protein (CRP) and duration of hospitalization were higher in patients with neurological presentations, with P values of 0.002 and 0.001, respectively. All patients with neurological complaints survived the acute illness. Neurological symptoms were present in 20% of the COVID-19 pediatric patients, having higher CRP than patients with non-neurological presentations. CRP can be used as a reliable indicator for neurological symptoms in COVID-19 pediatric patients.
Molecular& antifungal suceptibility identification of candida albicans isolated from samples of git children with diarrhea in diyala province iraq Sabah M Ali, Sara A. Dawood, L. T. Ahmed Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 2021 Diarrheal diseases in children are a major public health concern in developing countries. especially speciesof Candida, responsible for causing candidiasis infection(diarrehea), require fast and accurate identification,The correct identification of Candida species is of great importance, as it presents prognostic and therapeuticalsignificance, allowing an early and appropriate antifungical therapy. This study was conducted to investigatethe incidence of Candida albicans associated with diarrhea in childrenThis study was included isolates of Candida spp. from stool of 100 patients samples with diarrhea and100 without diarrhea evaluated in AL-Batool Teaching Hospital by phenotypic methods , antifungalsusceptibility of C. albicans and determination of the C.albicans genotypes by Nested PCR, discriminatingC. albicans from the other Candida species. The tests used for phenotypic analysis were culture in SDA andCHROMAgar™ Candida, Phenotypic tests showed green colonies in chromogenic medium, The antifungalsusceptibility results of 43 C.albicans isolates present that all of Candida isolates tested were susceptibleto Amphotericin B and fluconazole (100%), while no resistance was observed in C.albicans toCaspofunginand Micafungin.Finally, only one isolate was resistant to flucytosine . Genomic DNAs of all C. albicans isolates wereamplified by PCR to detect their genotypes using. polymerase chian reaction amplification shows fourgenotypes(A,B,Cand D).A-genotype showed 4 subtypes and most common subgenotypes(1,3,4 and 5).
RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Premature Birth at Ramadi Teaching Hospital for Maternity and Children: A Cross-sectional Study RF Shitran, SM Ali Iranian Journal of Neonatology 17 (2) , 2026 2026
Utility of Routine Laboratory Tests for Predicting Gram-Negative Neonatal Sepsis in Low Resources Settings SKA NN Akram, SM Ali, RSA Raheem Scripta Medica 56 (6), 1171-1178 , 2025 2025
Morbidity and Mortality of Premature Birth at Ramadi Teaching Hospital for Maternity and Children/West of Iraq RFS Sabah M Ali Acta Medica Iranica 62 (3), (136-143) , 2024 2024 Citations: 1
Role of rs5743708 SNP in the risk of Bacterial Respiratory Infections in Children of Ramadi city/Iraq EAM Sabah Mohsin Ali Al-Maamuri,Essam Mohammed Abdullah South Eastern European Journal of Public Health 24 (S2), 542-548 , 2024 2024
Clinical and laboratory characteristics of children with neurological presentations of COVID-19: a single-center experience WN Nabeeha Najatee Akram , Basma Adel Ibrahim , Sabah Mohsin Ali JOURNAL of MEDICINE and LIFE 15 (10), 1294_1298 , 2022 2022 Citations: 7
BODY MASS INDEX PERCENTILE AND PREVALENCE OF OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY IN A GROUP OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN ATTENDING CHILD CENTRAL TEACHING HOSPITAL NIARFSMAHSM Ali HIV Nursing 22 (2), 577-581 , 2022 2022
Dyslipidemia among Diabetic Children in Baghdad SMAM Sarah F. Al-Saadi, Maha A. Al-Nuaimi ANNALS OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH 4 (2021), 500-511 , 2021 2021 Citations: 1
Molecular& Antifungal Suceptibility Identification of Candida albicans Isolated from Samples of GIT Children with Diarrhea in Diyala Province Iraq LTA Sabah M.Ali1 , Sarah A. Dawood2 Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology 15 (1), 1465-1471 , 2020 2020
Biological Study of Candida Species and Virulence Factor LTA Ali.R.Hameed., 2 Sabah.M.Ali. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering & Technology 1 (4 … , 2018 2018 Citations: 29
The Prevalence of Candida spp. Among Children with Diarrhea in BaqubahIraq LTA Ali R.Hameed, 2 Sabah M.Ali International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering & Technology 1 (3 … , 2018 2018 Citations: 2
Differentiation between C. glabrata and C. parapsilosis Isolated from Children with Diarrhea by PCR Amplification of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA SMALTA Ali R Hameed 1 Research in Pediatrics & Neonatology 2 (1), 1-5 , 2018 2018
Molecular and Genotypes Identification of C. Albicans Isolated from Children With Diarrea in Diyala Province-Iraq LTASMA Ali R. Hameed International Journal of Bio-Technology and Research 7 (5), 19-28 , 2017 2017 Citations: 3
Significance of Lipid Profiles and Glycemic Control in Children with Diabetes Mellitus in Baqubah City SM Ali T i k r i t M e d i c a l J o u r n a l 22 (1813-1638), 16_24 , 2017 2017 Citations: 2
Effect of Maternal Hemoglobin on Gestational Age of Newly Born Babies in Baqubah City SM Ali, MAQ Al_Chalabi, FM Mustafa Diyala Journal of Medicine 9 (1), 11-14 , 2015 2015
Significance of C-reactive protein in Neonatal Sepsis in Diyala Province, Iraq, Hospital Based Study KA Obaid, FM Mustafa, SM Ali Diyala Journal of Medicine 9 (1), 53-61 , 2015 2015 Citations: 1
Accidental Poisoning among Childers Less than Five Years old in Baqubah City SM Ali Diyala Journal of Medicine 8 (2), (8-13) , 2015 2015
Effect of Maternal Hemoglobin on Anthropometric Measurements of Full Term Newly Born Babies AMMMC Sabah M Ali1 MBChB FICPS, Ali M Murad2 MBChB, FICOG Iraqi JMS 11 (ISSN 1681-6579), (176-180) , 2013 2013 Citations: 4
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Biological Study of Candida Species and Virulence Factor LTA Ali.R.Hameed., 2 Sabah.M.Ali. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering & Technology 1 (4 … , 2018 2018 Citations: 29
Clinical and laboratory characteristics of children with neurological presentations of COVID-19: a single-center experience WN Nabeeha Najatee Akram , Basma Adel Ibrahim , Sabah Mohsin Ali JOURNAL of MEDICINE and LIFE 15 (10), 1294_1298 , 2022 2022 Citations: 7
Effect of Maternal Hemoglobin on Anthropometric Measurements of Full Term Newly Born Babies AMMMC Sabah M Ali1 MBChB FICPS, Ali M Murad2 MBChB, FICOG Iraqi JMS 11 (ISSN 1681-6579), (176-180) , 2013 2013 Citations: 4
Molecular and Genotypes Identification of C. Albicans Isolated from Children With Diarrea in Diyala Province-Iraq LTASMA Ali R. Hameed International Journal of Bio-Technology and Research 7 (5), 19-28 , 2017 2017 Citations: 3
The Prevalence of Candida spp. Among Children with Diarrhea in BaqubahIraq LTA Ali R.Hameed, 2 Sabah M.Ali International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering & Technology 1 (3 … , 2018 2018 Citations: 2
Significance of Lipid Profiles and Glycemic Control in Children with Diabetes Mellitus in Baqubah City SM Ali T i k r i t M e d i c a l J o u r n a l 22 (1813-1638), 16_24 , 2017 2017 Citations: 2
Morbidity and Mortality of Premature Birth at Ramadi Teaching Hospital for Maternity and Children/West of Iraq RFS Sabah M Ali Acta Medica Iranica 62 (3), (136-143) , 2024 2024 Citations: 1
Dyslipidemia among Diabetic Children in Baghdad SMAM Sarah F. Al-Saadi, Maha A. Al-Nuaimi ANNALS OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH 4 (2021), 500-511 , 2021 2021 Citations: 1
Significance of C-reactive protein in Neonatal Sepsis in Diyala Province, Iraq, Hospital Based Study KA Obaid, FM Mustafa, SM Ali Diyala Journal of Medicine 9 (1), 53-61 , 2015 2015 Citations: 1
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Premature Birth at Ramadi Teaching Hospital for Maternity and Children: A Cross-sectional Study RF Shitran, SM Ali Iranian Journal of Neonatology 17 (2) , 2026 2026
Utility of Routine Laboratory Tests for Predicting Gram-Negative Neonatal Sepsis in Low Resources Settings SKA NN Akram, SM Ali, RSA Raheem Scripta Medica 56 (6), 1171-1178 , 2025 2025
Role of rs5743708 SNP in the risk of Bacterial Respiratory Infections in Children of Ramadi city/Iraq EAM Sabah Mohsin Ali Al-Maamuri,Essam Mohammed Abdullah South Eastern European Journal of Public Health 24 (S2), 542-548 , 2024 2024
BODY MASS INDEX PERCENTILE AND PREVALENCE OF OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY IN A GROUP OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN ATTENDING CHILD CENTRAL TEACHING HOSPITAL NIARFSMAHSM Ali HIV Nursing 22 (2), 577-581 , 2022 2022
Molecular& Antifungal Suceptibility Identification of Candida albicans Isolated from Samples of GIT Children with Diarrhea in Diyala Province Iraq LTA Sabah M.Ali1 , Sarah A. Dawood2 Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology 15 (1), 1465-1471 , 2020 2020
Differentiation between C. glabrata and C. parapsilosis Isolated from Children with Diarrhea by PCR Amplification of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA SMALTA Ali R Hameed 1 Research in Pediatrics & Neonatology 2 (1), 1-5 , 2018 2018
Effect of Maternal Hemoglobin on Gestational Age of Newly Born Babies in Baqubah City SM Ali, MAQ Al_Chalabi, FM Mustafa Diyala Journal of Medicine 9 (1), 11-14 , 2015 2015
Accidental Poisoning among Childers Less than Five Years old in Baqubah City SM Ali Diyala Journal of Medicine 8 (2), (8-13) , 2015 2015
Publications
Molecular& antifungal suceptibility identification of candida albicans isolated from samples of git children with diarrhea in diyala province iraq
Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology
2021 | journal-article
DOI: 10.37506/
EID: 2- of ISSN: 09739130 09739122
Source: Ali,Sabah M. via Scopus - Elsevier