Backgraund and aims Maternal, environmental, and host factors determine which infant exposed to a potentially pathogenic organism will develop serious or other potentially invasive infections, causing significant mortality and long-term morbidity in neonates. The purpose in this retrospective study was to identifications the bacterial microorganisms caused neonatal infectious diseases in term newborns hospitalised in the Centre of Neonatology, during the period of 2002, 2003 and 2004.

Methods We used clinical, microbiological, laboratory and radiology methods.

Results 1391 term newborns (TNB) were treated at the Centre of Neonatology in Podgoric during the period 2002–2004. In 528 TNB were proven infections. Most frequent infectious diseases were :omphalitis (44,9%), pneumonia (18,5%), sepsis (10,9%), cutaneus infections (8,7%), urinary tract infection (5,3%), conjunctivitis (5,5%), otitis media (3,8%), mastitis (1,7%), diarrhoea (0,7%). Sepsis and/or meningitis were diagnosed in 58 term newborn (10,9%). The bacterial agents responsabile for sepsis and/or meningitis were: Coagulasa -Negative Staphylococcus (41,3%), Staphylococcus Aureus (19%), E.coli (5.3%), then with equally frequency SGB, SGA, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Enterococcus, L. Monocytogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter, Serratia, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella-Enterobacter (each one 1,7%). Meningitis were proven in 16 TNB or 27,6%.

Conclusions Temporal and geograpgic differences of various neonatal patogens are well recognised. It is important to identifications the bacterial microorganismsims in our region, analysis of longitudinal trends assist in the formulations of strategies to treat and prevent neonatal serious infections.