Neonatal sepsis is one of the leading causes of neonatal mortality in developing countries. Neonatal sepsis can be classified into two subtypes depending upon onset of symptoms- before 72 hours of life (early-onset neonatal sepsis—EONS) or later (late-onset neonatal sepsis—LONS). Bacteriological profile and antibiotic susceptibility pattern in neonatal septicemia are changing time-to-time and place-to-place. This study is aimed to know the current scenario of neonatal septicemia and antibiotic susceptibility pattern for determining effective treatment, hence reducing burden of antibiotic resistance.This is a Retrospective study. Data was collected from Bacteriology lab, PDUMC Rajkot (May 2020 – May 2021). Blood cultures were performed on suspected neonates. Both BACTEC and conventional methods were used. Organisms were isolated by standard microbiological protocols and antibiotic sensitivity was performed by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method as per CLSI- 2020/2021 guidelines. Total 1402 samples were screened. 326 were positive (23.25%). 214(65.64%) were male and 112(34.36%) were female. CONS (32.21%) was found to be the predominant pathogen followed by Klebsiella (19.63%), Staphylococcus aureus (18.10%), E. coli (15.95%), Acinetobacter (12.27%) and Enterococcus spp. (1.84%). EONS was seen in 195(59.82%) cases and LONS was seen in 131(40.18%) cases. Gram-negative bacteria are predominant in EONS (76.28%) and gram-positive bacteria is predominant in LONS (64.12%). Gram negative isolates are mostly susceptible to Meropenem, Piperacillin-tazobactam, Cefepime, Ceftazidime. Gram positive isolates mostly showed sensitivity to Vancomycin, Linezolid.Multi-drug resistant organism are emerging in neonatal septicemia. Strict antibiotic stewardship should be practiced to avoid the upcoming treatment difficulties.

No abstract