Association between the timing of antibiotics administration and outcome of neonatal sepsis

Abstract

Background: Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that requires aggressive and rapid intervention. However, data on the association between antibiotic administration timing in neonatal sepsis and neonatal outcomes is limited, particularly in the gulf area. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association between the timing of antibiotic administration and the outcome of neonatal sepsis. Design and setting: This retrospective comparative study was conducted through data collection from medical records of patients with neonatal sepsis. The patients were categorized into two groups based on the time interval between antibiotic prescription and drug administration: non-delayed group consisted of patients who received antibiotics within 3 h and the delayed group consisted of those who received antibiotics after 3 h. Results: A total of 237 neonates diagnosed with sepsis were included, of which 9.3% had necrotizing enterocolitis, 35% had bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and 6.3% had maternal chorioamnionitis. Additionally, 18.6% of the neonates’ mothers were prescribed with antibiotics during labor, and 5.5% had maternal fever. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most commonly isolated strain (24.1%). Of the total neonates, 87.3% received antibiotics within the first 3 h from the prescription. Survival rate was significantly higher and the risk of complications such as necrotizing enterocolitis, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia was significantly lower in the non-delayed group. Moreover, the length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the non-delayed group. Conclusion: Early antibiotic administration in patients with neonatal sepsis can improve the survival rate and reduce the incidence of complications.

Keywords

• Neonatal
• Sepsis
• Neonatal intensive unit
• Outcome
• Timing of administration