Abstract
Introduction: Neonatal sepsis is a global burden on the health and wellbeing of the neonates. It mounts too many neonatal mortality and morbidity. However, rational use of antimicrobial therapy and aggressive supportive management has modified the outcome over the past few decades. A good knowledge of locally prevalent microbes and antibiotics sensitivity pattern help in formulating antibiotics regimen. Methodology: This study is a retrospective analysis of prevalent microorganisms isolated from various culture samples collected from neonates aged 0 - 90 days, suspected to have early or late onset neonatal sepsis. All the neonates were admitted to Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Latifa Women and Children Hospital (LWCH) over an 11 year period (from January 2011 till December 2021). Descriptive analyses were used with results presented as proportions. Data were analyzed using Microsoft excel 2016 and online calculators. Results: A total of 4849 microbial culture positive isolates were identified from our NICU. These isolates included samples taken from, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, endotracheal aspirates, throat/nasopharynx, urine, rectal, stool, eyes and superficial cultures. Gram-negative bacteria were isolated in 56.3% (n= 2730). Gram positive bacteria accounted for 43.7% (n=2119) of isolates. Most common isolated bacterial species were Klebsiella pneumoniae (15.7%), Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus (CONS) (14.6%), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (11.5%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11.1%). Among the multidrug resistant organism (MDRO), Extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) K. pneumoniae (n=208, 4.3%) and Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (n=145, 3%) are the predominant strain. Over the study period, there is a significant reduction in both gram positive and gram negative bacterias (n=1055 in 2011 to 226 in 2021). Discussion/conclusion: The need of the hour is implementation of strict infection control measures and rationalized use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and continuous surveillance of emergence of MDROs. Regular tracking of the microbiological prevalence pattern kept us updated regarding prevailing organisms and emergence of MDROs. Our NICU antimicrobial policy modified in accordance with the surveillance data.