Abstract
Objectives: This study was undertaken to investigate the organisms causing sepsis in the Neonatal Unit at Al-Thawra Hospital, Sana’a, Yemen, determine their resistance to antibiotics, and recommend policy for empirical treatment. Methods: A total of 158 neonates having one or more signs of sepsis, and aged from 0 to 28 days, were enrolled in this study. A blood sample was taken from each subject, cultured, and then antibacterial susceptibility tests were performed for isolates. Results: 90 (57%) cases yielded positive cultures. Early-onset sepsis showed higher positive culture results (61.7%) than late-onset sepsis (32%). Significant positive culture results were found among the group with birth weight 0.9–2 Kg (78.6%). Gram negative bacteria constituted 97.8% of the total isolates, of which Klebsiella pneumoniae was the predominant pathogen (36.7%), followed by Pseudomonas species (30.0%). The commonest symptoms among the cases were respiratory distress (72.2%), jaundice (62.2%), cyanosis (51.1%), and lethargy (47.8%); the mortality rate was 27.8%. All Gram negative bacterial isolates were sensitive to imipenem and some isolates were sensitive to fourth-generation cephalosporins, but most isolates were highly resistant to the majority of other antibiotics tested. Conclusion: Gram negative organisms were the most frequent causative agents of bacterial sepsis, which is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in the newborn, and particularly in those of very low birth weight. It can also be concluded that imipenem and fourth-generation cephalosporins can be used for empirical treatment of bacterial sepsis.
Publication details
- DOI
- 10.18295/2075-0528.1339
- Journal
- Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 12(1), 48-54
- Publisher
- Sultan Qaboos University
- Open access
- Gold open access
- License
- CC BY-ND 4.0
Cite this article
APA 7
Al-Shamahy, H. A., Sabrah, A. A., Naser, A. B., & M., S. (2025). Types of Bacteria associated with Neonatal Sepsis in Al-Thawra University Hospital, Sana’a, Yemen, and their Antimicrobial Profile. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 12(1), 48-54. https://doi.org/10.18295/2075-0528.1339
MLA 9
Al-Shamahy, Hassan A., et al. "Types of Bacteria associated with Neonatal Sepsis in Al-Thawra University Hospital, Sana’a, Yemen, and their Antimicrobial Profile." Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, vol. 12, no. 1, 2025, pp. 48-54. https://doi.org/10.18295/2075-0528.1339.
Chicago (author–date)
Al-Shamahy, Hassan A., Amal A. Sabrah, Abdul Baki Naser, and Samarih M. 2025. "Types of Bacteria associated with Neonatal Sepsis in Al-Thawra University Hospital, Sana’a, Yemen, and their Antimicrobial Profile." Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal 12 (1): 48-54. https://doi.org/10.18295/2075-0528.1339.
Harvard
Al-Shamahy, H. A., Sabrah, A. A., Naser, A. B. and M., S. (2025) 'Types of Bacteria associated with Neonatal Sepsis in Al-Thawra University Hospital, Sana’a, Yemen, and their Antimicrobial Profile', Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 12(1), pp. 48-54. doi:10.18295/2075-0528.1339.
Vancouver
Al-Shamahy HA, Sabrah AA, Naser AB, M. S. Types of Bacteria associated with Neonatal Sepsis in Al-Thawra University Hospital, Sana’a, Yemen, and their Antimicrobial Profile. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal. 2025;12(1):48-54. doi:10.18295/2075-0528.1339
IEEE
H. A. Al-Shamahy, A. A. Sabrah, A. B. Naser, and S. M., "Types of Bacteria associated with Neonatal Sepsis in Al-Thawra University Hospital, Sana’a, Yemen, and their Antimicrobial Profile," Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 48-54, 2025, doi: 10.18295/2075-0528.1339.