UMBILICAL STUMP INFECTIONS IN NEONATES WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO MRSA

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the pathogenic organisms in umbilical stump infections and to detect MRSA among the Staphyloccus aureus isolates. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was done at Institute of Preventive Medicine (IPM) Hyderabad over a period of 6 months, a total of 82 newborn infants were included in the study, of the 82 newborn infants, 66 were born in the hospital (both Government and private) and 16 delivered at home. 41 cases were associated with Neonatal Jaundice & sepsis and 12 were associated with meningitis. 69 were associated with low birth weight, premature deliveries were 48. Pus was collected with a premoistened sterile swab and sent to the Microbiology lab for further processing. Bacterial pathogens were isolated and identified according to standard protocol. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed on all bacterial isolates. Results: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli & Klebsiella spps, were the most frequent organisms. The most sensitive antimicrobial agent against Gram positive organisms was ciprofloxacin & vancomycin, for Gram negative organisms cefaperazone & Imipenem.12 MRSA were isolated.