ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE PATTERN IN ISOLATED PATHOGENS OF URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Objective: To identify the types of uro-pathogens present in the collected urine samples and to determine the antibiotic resistance pattern in urine cultures of pediatric patients attending or admitted to the hospital. Methods: This was a Prospective, Observational and Cross sectional which were conducted for a period of six (6) months in the Department of Pharmacology in collaboration with the Department of Microbiology, Silchar Medical College and Hospital, Silchar, Assam. Antibiotic sensitivity testing was done by Kirby Bauer Disc Diffusion Method in Mueller Hinton Agar. Zone diameters of various antibiotics was measured with the help of Vernier Calipers and interpreted as per Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute 2024 guidelines. Pediatric age group patients who were diagnosed with UTI and those who were admitted or attending the hospital during the study period were included. Results: Among 386 samples, 154 have showed microbial growth. The most common organism isolated were Escherichia Coli (36%), followed by Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (13%), Klebsiella oxytoca (13%) and Methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (12%). Incidence of UTI was more in females (55.8%). Resistance among E. coli was higher for Cefixime (75%), Ceftriaxone (55%) and Ciprofloxacin (51%). Conclusion: Frequent and prolonged use of antimicrobial agents can promote emergence of resistance so, antibiotic stewardship is recommended as a means of reducing antimicrobial confrontation, along with lowering risk of adverse drug events, treatment complications and institutional costs.