Early-Onset Neonatal Sepsis in Turkey: A Single-Center 7-Year Experience in Etiology and Antibiotic Susceptibility.

BACKGROUND

The pathogen distribution and antibiotic susceptibility of the pathogens in early-onset sepsis (EOS) differ between countries. The epidemiological data from a limited number of studies about EOS in Turkey are insufficient. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the culture-proven EOS cases, causative microorganisms, antibiotic susceptibility patterns, and risk factors for mortality in EOS.

METHODS

This is a retrospective, single-center study over a 7-year period, from 2013 to 2020, at Zeynep Kamil Maternity and Children's Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.

RESULTS

During the study period, 8229 newborns were admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit. Culture-proven EOS was detected in 101 patients (0.12%). Out of these, 56 (55.4%) were Gram-positive, and 45 (44.5%) were Gram-negative sepsis. The most common isolated organism was (28.7%, = 29), followed by GBS (16.8%, = 17) and (15.8%, = 16). An ampicillin and gentamicin combination had antimicrobial coverage in 92.6% of cases. Seventeen patients (16.8%) died because of EOS. Severe neutropenia was found to be an independent risk factor for mortality in EOS ( = 0.001, OR = 14.4, CI 95%: 2.8-74).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the majority of causative agents were Gram-positive (55.4%), the most common isolated organism was An empirical antibiotic regimen of ampicillin and gentamicin continues to have an adequate coverage for EOS in our population.