Risk factors and clinical outcomes for carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative late-onset sepsis in a neonatal intensive care unit

SummaryBackgroundCarbapenem-resistant (CR), Gram-negative (GN), late-onset sepsis (LOS) is a serious threat in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).AimTo assess the prevalence of CR-GN-LOS in NICU patients and to identify the risk factors and outcomes associated with its acquisition.MethodsNeonates with carbapenem-susceptible (CS)-GN-LOS were compared with those with CR-GN-LOS in a two-year observational study.FindingsA total of 158 patients had GN-LOS; 100 infants had CS-GN-LOS and 58 infants had CR-GN-LOS. The incidence rate of CR-GN-LOS was 6.5 cases per 1000 patient-days. The most frequent bacterial strain in both groups was Klebsiella pneumoniae. The duration of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) (P = 0.006) and prior carbapenem use (P = 0.01) were independent risk factors for CR-GN-LOS acquisition. CR-GN-LOS was associated with higher mortality than CS-GN-LOS (P = 0.04). Birth weight, small for gestational age, time to start enteral feeding, exclusive formula feeding, previous surgery, previous antifungal use, central venous device before onset, duration of central venous device, and infectious complications were identified as dependent risk factors for overall mortality. However, only male gender (P = 0.04) and infectious complications (P < 0.001) were independent risk factors associated with mortality. Infectious complication rates, duration of mechanical ventilation, and length of hospital stay were significantly higher in infants with CR compared to CS-GN-LOS.ConclusionThe duration of TPN and carbapenem use were the independent predictors for CR-GN-LOS acquisition. CR-GN-LOS is associated with higher mortality, infectious complication rates, longer mechanical ventilation, and longer hospital stay. Male gender and infectious complications were the independent risk factors for mortality in neonates with GN-LOS.