Bacteriological profile in neonatal sepsis at the University teaching Hospital of Yaounde, Cameroon.

Abstract

Infections are the biggest cause of neonatal deaths in developing countries and most of them can be preventable. Predominant causative bacterial agents kept changing overtime as such, this retrospective cross sectional study was designed to determine the bacteriological profile in neonatal sepsis and their susceptibilty to antibiotics. From January 2005 to November 2009, 120 newborns having a specimen cultured positive were enrolled at the University Teaching Hospital of Yaoundé. The majority of newborns 96 (80%) was delivered through the vaginal route and 79 (65.8%) were born at term. Risk factors for infection were premature rupture of membranes 35 (29.1%). Fever during labour 13 (10.8%) meconium stained amniotic fluid17 (14.1%).The total number of pathogens isolated from neonates with early onset sepsis was 98 (73.7%) and 35 (26.3%) from those with the late onset form. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most common 26 (21.6%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus 18 (15%) and Escherichia coli 18 (15%). Klebsiella pneumoniae was first in early neonatal sepsis 20 (20.4%) and Escherichia coli was leading in late neonatal sepsis 8 (22.8%). Gram negative bacilli were all resistant to 3rd generation cephalosporin but sensitive to imipenem. Staphylococcus aureus and other Staphylococci spp were all resistant to Cloxacillin and Cephalosporin but sensitive to Gentamycin. Imipenem and Gentamycin could be considered for empirical treatment while waiting for results of cultures before adjustment. A need to rationalize the prescription of antibiotics and to assure a comprehensive control and prevention of infection will be cost effective.

Key words : bacteriological profile; neonatal sepsis; susceptibilty;
antibiotics; Yaounde; Cameroon.