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Updated: Mar 19, 2026

A Neonatal Imaging Model of Gram-Negative Bacterial Sepsis
Published on: August 12, 2020
Gram-Negative Bacilli in Infants Hospitalized in The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Sameer J Patel1, Nicole Green1, Sarah A Clock1
1Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York.
Background:
Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) account for a significant burden of infection and colonization in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), and antibiotic resistance among these pathogens is of increasing concern.
Methods:
A prospective cohort study was performed in 4 NICUs between May 2009 and April 2012. The body sites from which GNB were isolated, antimicrobial susceptibilities of the GNB isolated, and antimicrobial therapy were assessed.
Results:
Attending neonatologists treated 3.0% (188 of 6184) of eligible infants for GNB infection; 23% of 214 GNB isolates were nonsusceptible to antimicrobial agents, including gentamicin (14.8%), piperacillin-tazobactam (9.9%), third-generation cephalosporin (7.0%), and/or carbapenem agents (4.5%). Gentamicin was the most commonly used antibiotic overall, and much of its use was empiric. However, third-generation cephalosporin agents and cefepime were used more commonly as targeted therapy for identified Gram-negative pathogens.
Conclusions:
One-quarter of the GNB isolates were nonsusceptible to ≥1 antibiotic. Antimicrobial stewardship strategies for reducing antimicrobial use in NICUs should be implemented.
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