Abstract

BACTERIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF NEONATAL SEPSIS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Dr. Sudharshan Raj. C*, Dr. Pradeep Reddy. M, Dr. Neelima. A

ABSTRACT

Neonatal septicemia is one of the four leading causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity in India. Neonates are a vulnerable for developing sepsis due to factors such as immature immune system, prematurity, low birth weight, respiratory problems and maternal infections. There is a difference in epidemiological data from developed and developing countries in terms of incidence, risk factors, pattern and antimicrobial sensitivity in neonatal infections. There are very few studies on bacteriological profile and antibiogram neonatal septicemia in this region, hence the present study. This was a retrospective study conducted in a tertiary care hospital in South India. The data was obtained from the blood culture repots of Microbiology department from 2009 to 2011. Blood samples (2-3 ml) were collected from all neonates admitted to the hospital during the study period suspected to have septicemia. The total neonates admitted with clinical sepsis were 681, out of which 102 (14.9%) were positive for blood culture. Highest number of cases were early onset sepsis and maximum cases were from males. Gram negative organisms accounted for 80.3% of all the cases and Gram positive accounted for 19.7% of all the cases. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common Gram positive organism isolated and in Gram negative organisms Klebsiella was the most common. Highest resistance was seen with Penicillin (>80%) and least with Vancomycin and Linezolid (0%) in Gram positive organisms. Among Gram negative organisms highest resistance was seen with Ampicillin (>65%) and least with Imipenem (0%). Extensive surveillance should be performed in a particular setting to identify the common organisms of neonatal septicemia and evaluate their antibiotic sensitivity patterns. Periodic antibiotic susceptibility studies will help pediatricians to choose an appropriate antimicrobial for empirical treatment of neonatal septicemia.

Keywords: Neonatal sepsis, blood culture, antibiogram, bacteriological profile.