A study of bacteriological profile in neonatal sepsis in neonatal intensive care unit in a tertiary care centre

Abstract

Background: Septicaemia in neonates refers to a generalized bacterial infection in the first four weeks of life that is confirmed by a positive blood sample. It is one of India's four leading causes of neonatal death and morbidity. Aim: To study the bacteria responsible for neonatal sepsis in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in a tertiary care centre. Methods: 100 neonates with symptoms and signs suggestive of sepsis were included in this study. A written informed consent was taken from either of parents of the babies who were included in the study. All babies included in the study were subjected to detailed maternal and neonatal history taking. A detailed clinical examination of the new born was done and gestational age was assessed by New Ballard’s score chart and the findings recorded in the pre-structured proforma. Results: In the present study, out of the 100 cases with symptoms and signs suggestive of sepsis, 23 cases (23%) were culture positive. Klebsiella pneumoniae was isolated in 2 (28.58%) cases and Enterococcus in 2 (28.58%) of cases, Staph. aureus-Coagulase +ve in 1 (14.28%) cases, Pseudomonas spp. in 1 (14.28%) cases, Enterobacter spp. in 1 (14.28%) cases isolated indicating that Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most frequent organism isolated in late onset sepsis. Enterobacter and Enterococcus were isolated only late onset sepsis and not seen in early onset sepsis. Conclusion: Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staph. aureus-Coagulase +ve are the leading cause of neonatal sepsis in this study and most of them are resistant to multiple antibiotics. Therefore the results of this study suggest that, surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in our hospital is necessary.