Bacteriological and antibiotic profile of infection among infants in the post-neonatal period at a tertiary care hospital in South India

Abstract

PurposeSevere bacterial infection is a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Geographical-based demographic laboratory and clinical data are required to get a conclusion about the bacterial infection and their antibiotic susceptibility for the empiric antibiotic treatment in infants who presented with suspected infection. This study was aimed to find the most prevalent bacterial infection and antibiotic sensitivity among infants in the post-neonatal period presented at a tertiary care centre in South India.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional study was designed among infants (29 days to 1 year old) presented with suspected infection in the paediatric department. Infants with positive culture report were analysed for the bacteriological and antibiotic profile from the medical records. Antibiotic sensitivity was determined for the isolated bacteria according to standard procedure and data statically analysed.FindingsTotal of 218 samples (138 male and 80 female) were analysed. Most of the samples (171/218, 78.4%) were throat swab (p = 0.0247). Only one sample was cerebrospinal fluid from case of meningitis. Sample from upper RTI was major (162/218, 74.3%) with male dominance followed by stool samples from cases of diarrhoea (22/218, 10.0%). Staphylococcus aureus was the major organism identified in 46/171 (26.9 %) throat swabs. The most sensitive antibiotic against bacteria isolated from throat swab and CSF was gentamicin and cloxacillin. Netilmicin and piperacillin plus tazobactam were the sensitive antibiotics against bacteria isolated from stool, ear secretion and urine samples.Research limitations/implicationsShort duration and small sample size representing the population was the major limitations of this study. Furthermore, a multicentre population based study is warranted to develop a protocol/policy/rational use of antibiotics in the clinical setting for the empiric therapy.Practical implicationsPracticing good hygiene in child care is the best way to prevent infection. Community-based awareness and education should be given to parents in order to follow good hygiene in child care regularly. Furthermore, avoid delay in seeking treatment and provide the medicine prescribed at the right time and in the right dose to limit the morbidity and bacterial resistance.Social implicationsDespite the empirical antibiotic treatment in subjects presented with infection in the post-neonatal period, awareness about the exclusive breastfeeding, maternal and neonatal immunizations and antibiotic prophylaxis in case of suspected infection are warranted to reduce the incidence of infection. Furthermore, keeping the baby's environment clean, keeping safe distance from people who are unwell or avoiding contact with infected people are major home-based activities to protect infants from common infectious diseases. Changing diaper at frequent intervals can reduce the UTI and washing child's and caregiver's hands frequently can prevent food bone and respiratory infections.Originality/valueUpper RTI was the prevalent bacterial infection followed by diarrhoea in infants in the post-neonatal period. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the common organism identified in the overall report followed by E. coli and S. aureus. Community-based awareness should be provided to follow good hygiene regularly in child care. Furthermore, avoid delay in seeking treatment and provide the medicine prescribed at the right time and in the right dose to limit the morbidity and bacterial resistance.