Multidrug resistance pattern in bacteriological isolates of neonatal septicemia in NICU of a tertiary care center

Multidrug resistance pathogens have been found to be an increasing cause of neonatal sepsis in developing country like India. The present study was conducted to study the multidrug resistant pattern in bacterial isolates of neonatal septicaemia in Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a tertiary referral hospital, Northeastern part of U.P., India.

It was a prospective study in which blood culture sample was taken from 450 neonates who had clinical features of sepsis or had presence of risk factors (one major-prolonged rupture of membranes/evidence of chorioamnionitis, intrapartum fever, foul smelling liquor or two minor-febrile illness of mother 2 weeks prior to delivery, meconium stained liquor amnii, more than 3 vaginal examinations during labour, low birth weight or prematurity, prolonged labour, low Apgar score) over a period one year.

A total of 102 (22.7%) suspects were found to be positive for sepsis. In present study, among positive cases of neonatal sepsis, the prevalence of early onset was around three forth as compared to late onset sepsis. Among all gram positive and gram negative isolates Klebseilla pneumoniae was found to be maximum followed by Grp B streptococcus. Out of total isolates only five isolates were MDR, whereas 4 MRSA and 17 ESBL.

Presence of Multidrug resistant isolates as well an increasing rate of ESBL producers among neonates noted in this study is alarming. Thus regular monitoring of susceptibility profile of bacterial pathogen is the need of the hour to treat and curtail the increasing trend of neonatal septicemia.