Pattern of Bacteremia and Antibiotic Susceptibility in The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a Tertiary Care Hospital in Vadodara, Gujarat

Background: The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is highly susceptible to bloodstream infections. Continuous surveillance of infectious disease is crucial for detecting new threats and guiding the best treatment options. Objectives: This study aimed to explores the causative agents and antibiotic resistance patterns of blood stream infections (BSIs) in neonates admittted at NICU. Materials and methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2024, at Parul Sevashram Hospital. The study included a total 50 subjects suspected of septicemia, who were tested for blood culture. The data from positive samples, including the causative agents and their resistance pattern were analyzed statistically using SPSS. Results: Out of 50 suspected cases, 22% were diagnosed with bloodstream infections with BSI rate of 12% in males and 10% in females. 6 different pathogens were identified as causative agent of BSI, with Staphylococcus aureus (36.35%) being the most predominant, followed by Escherichia coli (27.26%), and others including Enterococcus faecium, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Sphingomonas paucimobilis, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (each at 9.10%). Most pathogens exhibited multidrug resistance, including to cefoxitin and carbapenems, highlighting the emergence of strains like MRSA and CRKP Conclusion: With 22% of neonatal bloodstream infections rate driven by resistant pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli (CRKP) pose growing threats in the NICU. This underscoring the urgent need for ongoing surveillance and stronger infection control measures in hospitals, helping to formulate new infection control strategies and improve treatment plans.