Bacteriological profile of neonatal septicaemia in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria

Background: Neonatal septicaemia is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Knowledge of the bacteriological profile of the aetiologic agents is very important and helps to reduce the associated mortality in neonatal septicaemia. Objective: To determine the bacteriological profile of common aetiologic agents of neonatal septicaemia and their antibiotics sensitivity pattern. Method: This study was a retrospective review of all the 390 neonatal blood cultures carried out in the Department of Clinical Microbiology and Parasitology of the National Hospital Abuja, Nigeria over three years (Jan 2002 – Dec 2004). Result: The 390 neonatal samples constituted 25% of all blood samples received in the laboratory during the period under review.Twenty-two percent were positive for bacterial growth, yielding gram-negative bacilli (GNB) and gram- positive cocci (GPC) in almost equal proportion, predominantly Klebsiella pneumoniae (86% of GNB) and Staphylococcus aureus (81% of GPC). Although the Klebsiella pneumoniae were multiply-resistant and showed resistance pattern suggestive of Extended-Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ELBS) production they were 100% sensitive to imipenem. The sensitivity of the Staphylococcus aureus isolates to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, cefuroxime, ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol and erythromycin were 89%, 85%, 75%, 71% and 64% respectively. Conclusion: A sustainable antibiotic susceptibility surveillance programme coupled with good infection control practices and rational antibiotics use will reduce infection rate, ensure better therapeutic success and prolong the efficacy of available antimicrobials.