Bacteriological study of neonatal septicemia in neonatal intensive care unit

Abstract

Neonatal sepsis is a clinical syndrome of bacteraemia characterized by systemic signs and symptoms in first 28 days of life. It is the leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity in Bangladesh. The objectives of this study is to investigate the neonatal sepsis condition in the Chittagong area of Bangladesh and to suggest some ways to reduce un-necessary use of antibiotics,its cost and hazard also neonatal mortality and morbidity rate. The study of 1 year included clinically suspected cases of neonatal septicemia admitted in NICU. Blood samples were cultured using tryptone soya broth (TSB) according to standard method. 1095 blood samples were collected, processed and isolates were identified .Blood culture was positive in 87 (7.96%) cases. Among the culture positive cases, 38 (43.67%) were males and 49 (56.33%) females, 25(28.73%) were born in this hospital and 62(71.26%) were outborn. EONS (Early Onset Neonatal Sepsis) was present in 48(55.18 %) and LONS (Late Onset Neonatal Sepsis) in 39(44.12%) cases. Among the isolated organisms Klebsiellapneumoniae accounted for 34(39.08%), Acinetobactor25 (28.73%), Staphylococcus aureus15 (17.24%) and Serratiamarcescens13 (14.94%). Mortality rate was 19.54%. Neonatal septicemia is a life-threatening emergency.Early diagnosis, specific treatment and strict infection control practices in neonatal intensive care unitscan reduce neonatal mortality and morbidity.

Keywords: Neonatal, Blood culture, Septicemia.