Neonatal sepsis, a systemic
infection manifesting in the first month of
life is a leading cause of
mortality in the
newborn .
Blood culture is the main stay in the
diagnosis of
neonatal sepsis. The present study focuses on the bacterial agents, the
antibiogram and the clinical
risk factors associated with
neonatal sepsis. One hundred and ten
neonates with clinical suspicion of
neonatal sepsis were included in this study. Bacterial pathogens isolated in positive
blood cultures were identified and the
antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed. The
risk factors were noted from the case
records &
statistical analysis was done using the
Chi square test. Thirty six (32.72%)
cultures were positive among 110 suspected cases of
neonatal sepsis. 22(61.11%) cases presented with early onset
sepsis and 14(38.89%) presented as late onset
sepsis. The common
bacteria isolated were
Klebsiella spp.,
Escherichia coli &
Staphylococcus aureus.
Antibiotics effective against gram negative bacilli were cefaperazone/
sulbactam and
piperacillin/
tazobactam. The rate of
Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolation was 57%. Gram negative bacilli predominate as agents of
neonatal sepsis &
antibiotic resistance among
bacteria is on rise. Thus there is a need for continuous
screening and
surveillance for
antibiotic resistance in NICU.