title: Neonatal septicemia: a reappraisal with special reference to the use of cefotaxime.
abstract: In a study period of one year, 381 babies (38.7% of all nursery admissions) were clinically diagnosed to have sepsis. Of these, 156 (40.9%) had positive blood cultures. Klebsiella was by far the commonest organism isolated (41%) followed by other Gram negative organisms. Gram positive organisms were uncommon (8%). Sensitivity of Gram negative organisms was poor to penicillin (11%) and ampicillin (18%); significantly better to kanamycin (65%), gentamicin (74%) and best to cefotaxime (79%). Only 8% isolates were resistant to all antibiotics. Combination of cefotaxime and gentamicin was effective against 90% of the isolates (in vitro) as compared to 74% for gentamicin and ampicillin. In vivo, mortality in the cefotaxime treated group was significantly lower (24.3%) than control group (47%) although both groups were clinically and bacteriologically comparable (p less than 0.05).
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, K.E.M. Hospital, Pune.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Vaidya
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bhave
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hegde
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Pandit
mesh_terms: D016470:Bacteremia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002439:Cefotaxime / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D005839:Gentamicins; D002439:Cefotaxime