Trends and Patterns of Antibiotic Resistance Among Pathogens inNeonatal Sepsis at a Tertiary Care Hospital:A Five-Year Retrospective Study

Summary

This five-year retrospective observational study aims to analyze the trends and patterns of antibiotic resistance among pathogens in neonatal sepsis at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College Hospital, Pune. The primary objective is to assess the prevalence of bloodstream infections (BSI), urinary tract infections (UTI), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) infections in neonates admitted between January 2020 and December 2024. Secondary objectives include identifying the spectrum of causative pathogens, evaluating their antimicrobial susceptibility, and analyzing trends in antimicrobial resistance over the study period. All neonates with suspected sepsis who underwent blood, CSF, or urine culture testing during the study period will be included. Data will be collected retrospectively from the Department of Microbiology, focusing on culture positivity and antibiotic sensitivity. Statistical analysis will be conducted using SPSS v29 software, ensuring patient confidentiality. The study will provide critical insights into the evolving patterns of antibiotic resistance in neonatal sepsis, aiding in the optimization of empirical antibiotic therapy and infection control strategies. Findings from this research will help improve clinical management and antibiotic stewardship programs in NICUs, ultimately reducing neonatal morbidity and mortality associated with sepsis.