BACKGROUND Neonatal sepsis is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in neonates. The spectrum of bacterial pathogens causes Neonatal sepsis and their antibiotic sensitivity patterns vary from hospital to hospital. The objectives of this study is to detect the bacterial profile in Neonatal sepsis and their antibiotic sensitivity pattern in neonates admitted in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
MATERIALS AND METHODSThis is a descriptive study carried out in the NICU of Department of Paediatrics-Andhra Medical College-King George HospitalVisakhapatnam between July 2016 and December 2016 (6 months). During the study period, blood specimens for culture were drawn from 304 patients admitted for suspected Neonatal sepsis. Neonates were evaluated for bacterial aetiological agents by blood culture and their antimicrobial sensitivity pattern was analysed.
RESULTSThe Blood culture was positive in 51.97% (158/304) of neonates with suspected sepsis, of which 59.49% (94/158) isolates were Gram-negative organisms. The common isolates were Klebsiella (25.95%), S. aureus (20.25%) and E. coli (13.29%). Both Gramnegative and Gram-positive organisms were found resistant to commonly used antibiotics such as Ampicillin, Cefotaxime and Ceftriaxone. Majority of the isolates in our study showed highest sensitivity to Piperacillin + Tazobactam, Gentamicin and Cefoperazone + Sulbactam.
CONCLUSIONOur study revealed Gram-negative organisms constituted the major group of isolates and Klebsiella being the most predominant organism causing neonatal sepsis in our institute. Both Gram-negative and Gram-positive organisms were found resistant to commonly used antibiotics. Hence, we suggest the institute should formulate an antibiotic policy regarding rational use of antibiotics and implement a surveillance programme on antibiotic resistance.