DefinePK

Abstract

Background: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) in pediatric populations represent a substantial burden of morbidity and mortality, particularly in developing countries. Rapid identification of causative bacterial pathogens and determination of their antimicrobial susceptibility profiles are essential for timely intervention and effective management of sepsis. Objective: To determine the spectrum of bacterial pathogens isolated from blood cultures and assess their antimicrobial sensitivity patterns among pediatric patients admitted with sepsis at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Settings: Department of Pediatrics, Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Duration of Study: 23 January 2025 to 23 April 2025. Methods: Blood samples were collected aseptically from pediatric patients meeting the clinical criteria for sepsis and processed using an automated BACTEC system. Standard microbiological techniques, identified bacterial isolates, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were conducted by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0, with Chi-square tests applied to evaluate associations between categorical variables. Results: Among 145 enrolled patients, 117 (80.7%) demonstrated positive blood cultures. Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant pathogen (27.4%), followed by Escherichia coli (23.9%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (22.2%). Staphylococcus aureus exhibited 100% sensitivity to vancomycin, while imipenem showed high efficacy against E. coli (95%) and K. pneumoniae (90%). Notably, substantial resistance to third-generation cephalosporins was observed. A statistically significant association was found between male gender and a higher incidence of Staphylococcus aureus infections (p=0.045). Conclusion: Staphylococcus aureus remains the leading cause of pediatric bloodstream infections, and emerging antimicrobial resistance patterns pose a serious challenge to empirical therapy. Routine surveillance of bacterial pathogens and their resistance profiles is imperative to guide effective antimicrobial stewardship and improve clinical outcomes in Pakistan's pediatric population.