To evaluate antibiotic consumption, susceptibility, and resistance patterns among neonates over a 10-year period, highlighting the implications for neonatal health.
Key Findings:
Top prescribed antibiotics were aminoglycosides, penicillin, and cephalosporins, with specific resistance rates of X%, Y%, and Z% respectively.
Coagulase-negative staphylococci, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus were the most prevalent microorganisms.
16 out of 21 identified microorganisms were multidrug resistant (MDR).
Aminoglycosides, penicillin, and lincomycin showed the highest resistance rates.
Significant correlation between antibiotic consumption of penicillin and aminoglycosides with resistance patterns.
Interpretation:
The high rates of antibiotic resistance among commonly prescribed antibiotics in neonates indicate a critical need for antimicrobial stewardship programs to optimize antibiotic use and combat resistance, impacting clinical practices.
Limitations:
Retrospective design may limit the ability to establish causality.
Data collection was limited to a single tertiary care hospital, which may affect generalizability and introduce potential biases.
Conclusion:
The study highlights the urgent need for implementing antimicrobial stewardship in neonatal settings to address the rising antibiotic resistance and ensure effective treatment of infections, emphasizing the broader implications for public health.
