Abstract
Background: Neonatal sepsis is an important issue with a high morbidity and mortality
rate in spite of new advances in antibiotic therapy. Identifying the causative agents
and their antibiotic sensitivity in a neonatal care unit (NCU) helps the physician to
choose the most appropriate antibiotic therapy.
Objectives: This study was aimed to find out the etiological agent and antibiotic
susceptibilities in newborn with culture positive sepsis.
Methodology: This was a cross sectional study carried out in the neonatal care unit
(NCU) of Sir Salimullah Medical College Mitford Hospital (SSMC) from June 2010 to
May 2011. Seventy five neonates both preterm and term with culture proven sepsis
were analyzed from admitted sick newborn to find out their etiology and antimicrobial
sensitivity pattern. Blood culture was done in the department of Microbiology of the
same medical college hospital.
Results: In this study, out of 75 cases, early onset sepsis was observed in 55(73.33%)
cases. Whereas late onset sepsis was in 20(26.66%) cases. Gram negative organisms
were isolated in 59 (78%) of 75 cases. Pseudomonas aeroginosa 27 (46.55%), E Coli
15(25.86%) and Serratia 8 (13.79%) were the common microbes. Coagulase negative
staphylococcus (CONS) was 10 (62%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus 6 (38%)
were the major Gram positive isolates. Gram negative isolates were sensitive to
Imipenem, Ceftazidime and Ciprofloxacin whereas 80 % gram positive isolates were
sensitive to Amikacin.
Conclusion : It was observed from this study that gram negative organisms like
pseudomonas aeroginosa and E.coli were the common organisms for neonatal sepsis
in hospitalized neonates and imipenem was the most sensitive drug against gram –
ve septicaemia.
Key words: Neonate, Sepsis, Blood culture, Micro-organism