Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria rate and risk factors in the neonatal intensive care unit: A single-center ten-year experience

Background: Multidrug resistance (MDR) in gram-negative neonatal infections is difficult to manage, and the risk factors differ among different studies. We aim to investigate the demographics, mortality, MDR status of gram-negative isolates, and risk factors for MDR gram-negative infections. Material-Methods: We conducted a retrospective single-center study about MDR gram-negative infections in neonates between January 2012-January 2022 at Duzce University Hospital in Turkey. This study evaluates neonates with MDR gram-negative infections' risk factors and clinical features. All analyses were performed using IBM SPSS V23. Univariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression models were studied to determine MDR's risk factors. Results: Of 107 gram-negative bacteria, 41 (38.3%) accounted for Enterobacter, 30 (28%) for Klebsiella pneumonia, and 22 (20.6%) for Escherichia coli. Additionally, 61 (56.5%) were MDR microorganisms. Among the susceptibility tests performed for selected isolates, 41 (77.4%) had resistance to Piperacillin, 57 (75%) showed resistance to amoxiclav, and 16 (72.7%) had cefoxitin resistance. In addition, carbapenemase resistance was found in 24 (43.6%) and meropenem resistance in 13 (36.1%). Colistin, aztreonam, and tigecycline resistances were the least frequent. The following dependent risk factors increased the multidrug resistance risk in gram-negative infections; late-onset sepsis 3.547 fold (p=0.005), use of mechanical ventilation 3.143 fold (p=0.007), blood culture positivity 3.587-fold (p=0.013), bronchopulmonary dysplasia 6.702 fold, (p= 0.015) and total parenteral nutrition 5.591 fold (p=0.001), lower gestational age 1.122 (1/0.891) fold (p=0.026), and birth weight 1.001 (1/0.999) fold, (p=0.013). Similarly, anti-biotherapy duration was significantly higher in the MDR group than in the non-MDR group. Conclusions: The reported risk factors for MDR in gram-negative neonatal infections are all dependent risk factors. Hence clinicians must be alert to all potential risk factors.