Pattern And Antibiotic Sensitivity in Neonates with Sepsis- A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: Sepsis is among the cause of morbidity and mortality among neonates, need an understanding of bacterial isolates and their antibiotic sensitivities.

Objective: To identify bacterial pathogens in neonates with sepsis and evaluate their antibiotic sensitivity profiles.

Study Design: A retrospective cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of study. Pediatrics Department at Saidu Teaching Hospital, Swat, from 1st January 2022 to 10th September 2024.

Materials and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed records of 195 neonates with blood culture-proven sepsis, selected via non-probability sampling. Inclusion criteria was both males and females neonates under one month of age, while those with comorbid conditions and prior antibiotic therapy were excluded. Blood samples were cultured using standard microbiological procedures, and isolates were identified through Gram staining and biochemical tests. Antibiotic sensitivity was determined using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method.

Results:The mean age of participants was 8.15 ± 6.20 days, with a gender distribution of 42.56% female and 49.23% male. The most frequently isolated pathogen was Salmonella spp. (36.41%), followed by Burkholderia cepacia (34.87%). Other notable isolates included Acinetobacter species (9.74%), Klebsiella species (9.74%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3.59%). Ampicillin resistance was predominant (60.00%), followed by Ceftriaxone (50.77%) and Septran (45.13%). Additionally, significant resistance was observed against Cefotaxime (44.62%), Chloramphenicol (40.51%), and Nalidixic acid (38.97%). Imipenem and Meropenem exhibited lower resistance rates at 33.85% and 22.56%, respectively. Chi-square analysis indicated no significant difference in most of resistance patterns based on gender (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: The study show the alarming resistance rates among bacterial pathogens in neonatal sepsis to commonly used antibiotics. Continuous surveillance of antibiotic susceptibility is essential to guide effective treatment strategies.