Abstract
Background and objective: Sepsis is an important cause of neonatal mortality especially in premature and low birth weight infants and may be a primary pathology or a complication of other disorders. Complications in near term infants are similar to term newborns, but premature infants with gestational age of 35 wks or less have significant mortality. This study conducted in premature infants to determine bacterial causes and antibiotic sensitivity of neonatal sepsis.
Materials and Methods: In a descriptive cross sectional study, bacterial causes of confirmed sepsis in newborns with gestational age of less than 35 wks, who were born in university hospital of Ghaem in Mashad was studied and antibiotic resistance of pathogens was determined.
Results: 32 cases of 175 premature infants had confirmed sepsis with positive blood culture. 12 of them had early onset sepsis in first 72 h of life and 20 cases had late onset sepsis. The most common microorganisms were Klebsiella (43.7%) and coagulates negative staphylococci (40.6%). Antibiotic resistance of Klebsiella sepsis to amikacin, gentamaycin, ampicillin and cotrimoxasol were 30%; 77%; 88%;and 18% respectively .
Conclusion: In neonatal sepsis antibiotic treatment should be selected with respect to the most prevalent pathogens. Antibiotic coverage of Staphylococci and gram negative bacilli is necessary based on our study.