Study of blood culture isolates from neonatal septicaemia

Introduction: Neonatal septicemia is classified as early onset sepsis (EOS) and late onset sepsis (LOS). The signs and symptoms of neonatal sepsis are non-specific but sepsis may rapidly progress and worsen, and may cause death within a few hours to days. Blood culture, which is the gold standard for definitive diagnosis, takes at least 48 hours up to 6 days, by which time the infection may have progressed with consequences on the morbidity and mortality of the neonates. Material & Methods: The present study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, Tertiary care teaching hospital after approval from institutional ethics committee. Blood sample was collected from the patients admitted in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of same hospital. All clinically suspected patients of neonatal septicemia admitted in NICU of our hospital. Results: Out of the total 412 blood samples received 238 (57.77%) were males and (42.23%) were females. Male to female ratio is 1.36:1. Major risk factor associated with in early-onset neonatal septicemia were found to be birth weight less than 2.5Kg 134 (53.60%), preterm birth 116 (46.40%), increased duration of labour 112 (44.80%) and Birth asphyxia 106 (42.40%). Out of 412 clinically suspected neonatal septicemia patients 138 (33.49%) were found culture positive. Out of 138 culture positive samples the Gram negative bacteria were 94 (68.12%) and Gram positive bacteria were 44 (31.88%) found. Conclusion: Early onset neonatal septicemia (EOS) was more common than late onset neonatal septicemia (LOS). Overall Gram negative isolates were the predominant causative agents for neonatal septicemia. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most common Gram negative isolate and Staphylococcus aureus was most common Gram positive isolate