Bacteraemia in Malawian neonates and young infants 2002-2007: A retrospective audit

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the causes of bacteraemia in young infants and susceptibility to first-line antibiotics (benzylpenicillin plus gentamicin) at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH), Malawi during 2002-2007. Design: Retrospective analysis of demographic and microbiological data using laboratory records. Setting: QECH is Malawi's largest hospital with 7000 neonates admitted annually, 9% for septicaemia. Patients: All infants aged 60 days or less admitted to QECH that had a blood culture taken over the 6-year period. Main outcome measures: 6754 blood cultures were taken. 3323 organisms were isolated: one-third were pathogens, two-thirds contaminants. Gram-positive organisms (53%) wer..