Am J Perinatol 2019; 36(11): 1136-1141
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1675643
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Distribution of Late-Onset Neonatal Sepsis Pathogens Differs in Inpatient and Outpatient Settings

Celeste G. Black
1   Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
,
Larissa Tavares
1   Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
,
Anna Stachel
2   Infection Prevention and Control, New York University Langone Health System, New York, New York
,
Adam J. Ratner
1   Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
3   Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
,
Tara M. Randis
1   Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
3   Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

17 May 2018

26 September 2018

Publication Date:
14 December 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Objective We sought to examine pathogen distribution and clinical presentation of late-onset sepsis (LOS) at an urban tertiary care center.

Study Design We performed a retrospective review of all culture-confirmed cases of LOS presenting to our institution from 2013 to 2017. Medical records were evaluated for demographic information, sepsis risk factors, encounter location, and clinical outcome.

Results We identified 97 cases of LOS, with a median age at diagnosis of 25 days. The most common pathogens were Escherichia coli (22.7%), Staphylococcus aureus (17.5%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (12.4%), and Enterococcus faecalis (12.4%). Infections due to E. coli predominated in the outpatient setting (44%), whereas S. aureus and Gram-negative organisms other than E. coli were more frequently isolated from inpatients (21 and 24%, respectively). Gram-positive organisms were more common in infants delivered through cesarean section (p = 0.002) and were associated with more complications (p = 0.03). Escherichia coli LOS presented at an earlier age than S. aureus (15 vs. 32 days; p = 0.04). Of the 15 cases of meningitis, 40% did not have a positive blood culture.

Conclusion Pathogen distribution in our population was different from those previously reported, with a higher prevalence of S. aureus. Encounter location and age at presentation varied significantly by pathogen.