Characterization of Clinical Presentation, Etiology, and Antibiotic Sensitivity Patterns in Neonatal Septicemia: A Comprehensive Analysis of Bacterial Isolates

Background: Neonatal septicemia remains a significant healthcare challenge, particularly in resource-limited settings, with both early-onset neonatal septicemia (EONS) and late-onset neonatal septicemia (LONS) presentations contributing to morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to characterize the clinico-etiological profile and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of neonatal septicemia in a tertiary care setting in north India.

Methodology: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2021 to February 2022, encompassing neonates admitted to the Department of Pediatrics with suspected neonatal septicemia, confirmed by positive blood cultures.

Results: A total of 96 neonates were included, predominantly male (71.9%). Gram-negative bacteria constituted 61.6% of isolates, and the most common organism isolated was non-lactose fermenter group (38.4%) followed by coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) (33.4%). Non-lactose fermenter group bacteria were prominent in EONS cases (44.6%), while CoNS predominated in LONS cases (51.6%). Birthplace, birth weight, and perinatal score were significantly associated with both EONS and LONS. Linezolid exhibited high efficacy against gram-positive bacteria, while ciprofloxacin and meropenem demonstrated effectiveness against various gram-negative pathogens. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains exhibited resistance to all the antibiotics used in the study except for linezolid.

Conclusion: These findings underscore the importance of tailored empirical therapy guided by local epidemiological data to optimize clinical outcomes and mitigate antimicrobial resistance.