Background: Neonatal sepsis continues to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among newborns in low- and middle-income countries. Despite advances in neonatal intensive care, emerging antimicrobial resistance has worsened outcomes. This study aims to determine the incidence, clinical profile, causative organisms, and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern in neonates with sepsis. A prospective observational study was conducted in the NICU of CPR Hospital, Kolhapur, Methods: between January 2025 and June 2025. Fifty neonates with clinically suspected sepsis were included. Detailed clinical evaluation, relevant laboratory investigations, and blood culture with antibiotic susceptibility testing were performed. Of the 50 neonates, 66% were m Results: ale and 34% female. Preterm neonates constituted 58%, while term neonates accounted for 42%. Early-onset sepsis (EOS) occurred in 68% of cases, while late-onset sepsis (LOS) was seen in 32%. The most common clinical features were respiratory distress (46%), refusal to feed (44%), and lethargy (36%). Blood culture was positive in 46% of neonates. Gram-negative organisms predominated (71%), with Klebsiella pneumoniae being the most common isolate (48%), followed by Enterococcus (16%), coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (9%), and Citrobacter (9%). Among antibiotics, ceftazidime, amikacin, and piperacillin showed higher sensitivity against gram-negative isolates, while vancomycin remained highly effective against gram-positive organisms. The case fatality rate was 23%. Neonatal sepsis remains a major ca Conclusions: use of morbidity and mortality. Gram-negative organisms, particularly Klebsiella pneumoniae, are the predominant pathogens. Rising resistance to commonly used antibiotics such as ampicillin and ceftriaxone emphasizes the need for periodic surveillance of antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and formulation of rational antibiotic policies in NICUs.
Sushant More (Mon,) studied this question.