1384 Neonatal Septicaemia: Bacteriological Profile at a District General Hospital in Uk

Abstract

Background and aims: Septicaemia remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates with blood culture as the gold standard investigation. Doing periodic epidemiological surveys of aetiological agents and their sensitivity patterns help in the recognition of most frequently encountered pathogens. It also guides antimicrobial therapy and helps to reduce potential mortality. Aim was to determine the bacteriological profile and sensitivity pattern of the isolates from both anaerobic and aerobic blood culture bottles in the neonatal unit. Method: Retrospective data was collected from all the blood cultures sent from our neonatal unit between October 2007 and October 2009. Results: Of the 886 blood cultures, 55 (6.2%) were positive. 36 (65%) were associated with early onset sepsis (within 48 hours after birth). 22 (40%) were positive cultures from the aerobic bottle, 23 (42%) from anaerobic and 10 (18%) from both bottles. The most common organism isolated was coagulase negative staphylococcus (65%), many of which were likely to be skin contaminants. 6 (11%) were group B streptococcus and 6 (11%) were Gram negative rods with Enterobacter sp. and E.Coli as the main organisms. All the group B streptococci were susceptible to penicillin and the Gram negative organisms to cefotaxime. Conclusions: Majority of the organisms were coagulase negative staphylococci. Antibiotics chosen for empirical cover are appropriate for the clinically significant organisms isolated. It is important to send blood in both anaerobic and aerobic culture bottles and the result should be interpreted in relation to the clinical condition of the neonate.