Culture‐proven neonatal sepsis in preterm infants in a neonatal intensive care unit over a 7 year period: Coagulase‐negative Staphylococcus as the predominant pathogen

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the causative agents in early, late-and very late-onset sepsis in preterm infants. The demographic features, risk factors, clinical and laboratory findings in sepsis types were also defined. Methods: A total of 151 preterm infants with culture-proven neonatal sepsis were enrolled in this prospective study. The infants were classified into three groups with regard to the onset of sepsis: early onset sepsis (EOS), late-onset sepsis (LOS) and very late-onset sepsis (VLOS). A sepsis screen including whole blood count, blood smear, infection markers and cultures was performed before initiating antibiotic therapy. Results: EOS, LOS and VLOS groups consisted of 23, 86 and 42 infants, respectively. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CONS) was the most common organism in all sepsis groups. The main factors associated with EOS included presence of premature rupture of membranes, antibiotic use in pregnancy and choriamnionitis. Previous antibiotic use was the main factor associated with LOS, while low birthweight was the main factor in infants with VLOS. Although mortality rate due to Gram-negative bacteria and fungi was higher, CONS was an important cause of mortality in infants with LOS and VLOS. Conclusions: CONS was found to be the most common causative organism in three sepsis types in preterm neonates.Although the mortality rate due to CONS was lower in EOS, it was an important cause of mortality in LOS and VLOS. CONS seems to be the main pathogen in neonatal sepsis in developing countries, as in developed countries.

Pathogen and antimicrobial resistance profiles of culture‐proven neonatal sepsis in Southwest China, 1990–2014

“…The resistance rate of gentamicin was high in the period of 2000–2004 and then decreased. In contrast to our findings, other studies showed high levels of antimicrobial resistance to gentamicin . Since 2000, aminoglycosides have rarely been used in children in China due to ototoxicity.…”

Evaluation of recent methods versus conventional methods for diagnosis of early-onset neonatal sepsis

“…Moreover, newborns most probably acquire these Gram-negative rods from the vaginal and fecal flora of the mother and the environment during delivery. On the other hand, other investigators found that CoNS was the most common causative organism of NS [20]. However, the mortality rate due to CoNS was lower than that due to Gramnegative bacilli.…”

Greater Mortality and Morbidity in Extremely Preterm Infants Fed a Diet Containing Cow Milk Protein Products

“…Again, these are known risk factors for the development of sepsis in this population. [12][13][14] In all cases a p value of 5% or less was set as the definition of statistical significance.…”