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Neonatal Haemophilus influenzae infections
1Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Neonatal Haemophilus influenzae (HI) infections are increasingly recognized, particularly in premature infants. Current antibiotic regimens for neonatal sepsis effectively treat HI infections.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal infections
- Microbiology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Neonatal infections pose significant risks to infant health.
- Haemophilus influenzae (HI) is a notable pathogen in neonatal settings.
- Understanding the epidemiology of HI in neonates is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize neonatal Haemophilus influenzae infections in Al-Baha Region, Saudi Arabia.
- To assess the antibiotic resistance patterns of HI in neonates.
- To evaluate the adequacy of current antibiotic regimens for neonatal sepsis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 13 neonatal HI infection cases over one year.
- Data collection on patient demographics, birth circumstances, and clinical presentation.
- Microbiological analysis of isolates from various body sites (lungs, eyes, blood).
- Assessment of antibiotic susceptibility testing results.
Main Results:
- Thirteen cases of neonatal HI infections were identified (7 male, 6 female).
- Infections commonly involved lungs (92%), eyes (54%), and blood (31%).
- One case showed resistance to ampicillin and cefuroxime (7.7%).
- All neonates survived and were discharged in good condition.
Conclusions:
- Haemophilus influenzae is an emerging cause of neonatal infections, especially in premature infants.
- The standard antibiotic regimen (ampicillin and gentamicin) is effective against HI sepsis.
- No changes to the current antibiotic regimen are needed unless treatment failure occurs.
Abstract:
Thirteen cases of neonatal Haemophilus influenzae (HI) infections were identified in Al-Baha Region, Saudi Arabia during 1 year: seven male, six female. The mean weight and age were 36.0 weeks (28-44) and 2.5 kg (1.1-4.5) respectively. All babies were delivered outside the hospital, five at home and eight at primary care centres. HI was isolated from the lungs in 12 (92%), eyes in seven (54%), and from the blood in four (31%). None of the neonates had meningitis. HI resistant to ampicillin and cefuroxime were identified in one case (7.7%) each. All survived and were discharged home in good condition. Our findings suggest that HI is becoming more recognised as a cause of neonatal infections especially in premature babies. The current starting regimen of antibiotics for suspected sepsis in neonates (ampicillin and gentamicin) adequately cover for HI sepsis and need not be changed unless lack of response to treatment is documented.