Evaluation of the Epidemiologic Features of Early-Onset Sepsis in the Neonatal Ward of Shabih-Khani Hospital in Kashan, Iran.

Background: Neonatal sepsis is defined as the presence of clinical signs in association with positive blood culture in newborns less than one month of age. Sepsis is a common cause of hospital admission in neonates and is known as one of the main causes of neonatal mortality in both developed and developing countries. Delays in diagnosis and initiation of appropriate antibiotic therapy could result in neonatal death. The aim of this study was to find the main pathogens of sepsis and evaluate the changes in the antibiotic susceptibility of organisms in comparison with the past. Methods: In this descriptive study, medical records of 104 neonates with positive blood culture, admitted to the neonatal ward of Shabih-Khani Hospital, were assessed over two years (2005-2007). Data were extracted for statistical analysis. Results: In this 2-year study on 104 neonates with sepsis, the most common organisms included flavobacterium (43.3%), pseudomonas (33.3%), coagulase-negative staphylococcus (17.3%), and coagulase-positive staphylococcus (5.9%), followed by enterobacter, Escherichia coli, beta-haemolytic streptococcus, klebsiella, diphtheroid, and listeria. Conclusion: In this study, flavobacterium was found to be the most common organism in early sepsis. Although infection with flavobacterium is rare, the associated mortality rate is high due to the resistance of this organism to the majority of common antibiotics. Therefore, early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic treatments can help reduce the associated complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]