Patterns of isolates in blood cultures and antibiotic resistance profiles over five years, in a tertiary surgical neonatal unit

Background Neonatal sepsis with bacteraemia causes high morbidity and mortality. Early empirical antibiotics are essential to reduce this. Antibiotic policies are based on local epidemiological data of pathogens and resistance profiles. Objective Identify bacteraemia pathogens and antibiotic resistance rates including incidence of Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase producing Enterobacteriacae, thus informing policy. Compare pathogen profile in Medical versus Surgical admissions. Methods Positive blood cultures from January 2006 to December 2010 were analysed. False positives were excluded using concurrent laboratory results (from date of positive culture to 10 days after) if CRP