title: Neonatal septicaemia in the neonatal care unit, Al-Anbar governorate, Iraq.
abstract: Neonatal septicaemia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. We studied 118 neonates admitted to the main referral hospital in Al-Anbar with positive blood cultures. The incidence of neonatal septicaemia for babies born at this hospital was 9.2 per 1000 live births, and mortality was 28%. Staphylococcus aureus (39%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (30%) and Escherichia coli (21%) constituted 90% of all isolates. The isolates showed in vitro susceptibility to cefotaxime, chloramphenicol and gentamicin, but resistance to more commonly used antibiotics such as ampicillin and cloxacillin. We recommend initial gentamicin/cefotaxime combined therapy while awaiting culture and sensitivity test results. Our study highlights the importance of understanding the local epidemiology of neonatal septicaemia in formulating a rational antibiotics policy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, Al-Anbar University, Ramadi, Iraq.
authors.forename: E J K
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Al-Zwaini
mesh_terms: D016470:Bacteremia / Q000151:congenital* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002439:Cefotaxime / Q000627:therapeutic use; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000151:congenital / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D007493:Iraq / Q000453:epidemiology; D007710:Klebsiella Infections / Q000151:congenital / Q000453:epidemiology; D007711:Klebsiella pneumoniae; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009017:Morbidity; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012307:Risk Factors; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000151:congenital / Q000453:epidemiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus
chemical_list: D005839:Gentamicins; D002439:Cefotaxime