introduction Neonatal sepsis is an invasive bacterial infection that occurs in newborns between first and nineteenth day of life. Neonatal sepsis is one of the most frequent causes of morbidity and mortality in newborns[1]. Worldwide, incidence of sepsis in newborns varies between 1- 10 cases per 1000 live births, and the mortality varies between 15-50%[2]. Neonatal sepsis is usually classified as early or late sepsis. Early sepsis occurs within the first 72 hours of birth and late neonatal sepsis occurs after 72 hours of birth. Early neonatal sepsis is associated with acquisition of microorganism from mother (transplacental infection, ascending infection from cervix and the newborn can acquire the microorganisms as it passes through the birth canal at delivery). Late neonatal sepsis usually occurs due to the lack of aseptic working conditions . the occurrence of late sepsis is considered an important indicator of quality of care [3].