Burden of Klebsiella pneumoniae in late onset neonatal sepsis in a tertiary care hospital in Western Maharashtra

Abstract

is a notorious superbug that is rapidly becoming the most common nosocomial pathogen to be isolated from intensive care settings. : To determine the burden of and associated risk factors of late onset sepsis among neonates admitted into neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).: A prospective study was conducted among 200 neonates admitted into the NICU of Sassoon General Hospital from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019. Neonates <28 days of age exhibiting clinical signs and symptoms of sepsis >72hrs after birth were included in the study. A detailed case history format of patient information was prepared. Blood sample was subjected to identification by culture and real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Neonates who were positive by blood culture were confirmed as having sepsis.: Frequency of was 33.3% by blood culture and 38.1% by RT-PCR. Most of the septic neonates were males (n=6; 60%), formula fed (n=7; 70%), extremely low birth weight (n=6; 60%), delivered through caesarean section (n=6, 60%) and were preterm (n=7; 70%). Mortality was seen in 2 (20%) cases. All the isolates were sensitive to meropenem, piperacillin + tazobactam, amikacin, polymyxin B and colistin. : Occurrence of was 33.3% in late onset neonatal sepsis by blood culture. Low birth weight, formula feeding, prematurity and caesarean section were associated with a higher risk of sepsis in these patients. Antimicrobial stewardship and hospital infection control measures are need of the hour in preventing late onset neonatal sepsis.