Neonatal sepsis in Vietnam: Bacterial profiles and antibiotic susceptibility in a tertiary care setting

Abstract

Background

Neonatal sepsis is a leading cause of newborn mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study examines the bacterial etiologies and antibiotic resistance patterns of neonatal sepsis in a tertiary hospital in Vietnam.

Methods

A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at National Children’s Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam from January 2021 to December 2022. All neonates with a clinical suspicion of sepsis and a confirmed positive blood culture were identified. Isolated pathogens were identified, and antibiotic susceptibility was assessed using standard protocols.

Results

In total, 202 neonates were diagnosed with proven sepsis. Among these, 75.2% of cases referred from other hospitals. Early-onset sepsis accounted for 15.8% of these infections. Gram-negative bacteria were responsible for 75.7% of the cases, with Klebsiella pneumoniae being the most prevalent pathogen (32.2%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (14.9%), and both Serratia marcescens and Escherichia coli (10.9% each). Gram-negative bacteria showed significant resistance to third-generation cephalosporins, carbapenems, while gram-positive bacteria demonstrated considerable resistance to clindamycin and oxacillin. However, most gram-positive isolates were susceptible to vancomycin, and gram-negative bacteria had lower resistance to colistin and fosfomycin.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the critical importance of continuous surveillance and tailored antibiotic policies to combat neonatal sepsis effectively.