Adequacy of Vancomycin/Gentamicin as Empirical Regimen in Treatment of Late Onset Sepsis: Retrospective Study in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in UAE

Aisha Al Khaaldi, Yasmin Karah

Abstract

Despite the constant look out for microbial patterns and antibiotic sensitivities, neonatal sepsis still has high morbidity and mortality if not managed appropriately. The local biograms differ from region to region, and there has been a major shift of empirical antimicrobial treatment for late onset neonatal sepsis (LOS) worldwide. Our study was based on positive cultures obtained from neonates admitted to our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with the diagnosis of possible sepsis between ≥ 72 hrs and 90 days of age. The most common causative organisms in our patients were Coagulase Negative Staphylococci (CONS), Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, E.coli and Pseudomonas. Our current empirical regimen for LOS consists of vancomycin and Gentamicin. Assessment of our regimen's adequacy revealed 100% sensitivity to Vancomycin among gram positive organisms and 95.5% sensitivity to Gentamicin among gram negative organisms. The local biograms must be revisited from time to time to optimize empirical antibiotic choices and ensure a better quality of care for our patients.