Introduction
Healthcare-associated bacteraemia in preterm neonates presents a major challenge in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where access to effective antimicrobial therapies remains limited [Reference Laxminarayan1]. Preterm neonates, born before 37 weeks of gestation, are at higher risk owing to their immature immune systems and frequent exposure to invasive medical procedures. Bacteraemia, defined as the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream, can lead to severe complications such as sepsis, organ dysfunction, prolonged hospital stays, and neonatal mortality. In addition, the long-term developmental consequences of sepsis include neurological deficits and developmental delays [Reference Benjamin2, Reference Zea-Vera and Ochoa3].
In recent years, the emergence and spread of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing K. pneumoniae (ESBL-Kp) have been widely documented in healthcare settings, particularly in neonatal units [Reference Logan and Weinstein4]. In LMICs, the incidence of neonatal K. pneumoniae infections ranges from 4.1 to 6.3 per 1,000 live births, with a case fatality rate of 18% to 68% [Reference Benjamin2, Reference Zea-Vera and Ochoa3]. K. pneumoniae accounts for 16% to 28% of confirmed neonatal sepsis cases based on blood cultures in various countries [Reference Zaidi5]. Bacteraemia in preterm neonates can occur when gut bacteria, such as K. pneumoniae, translocate into the bloodstream, facilitated by disruptions in the gut barrier, bacterial translocation, and a weakened immune response [Reference Thänert6, Reference Schwartz7]. The intestinal carriage of ESBL-Kp is a major concern, as it can serve as a reservoir for future infections. Contributing factors include broad-spectrum antibiotic use, prolonged hospitalisation, invasive procedures, and the immaturity of the neonatal immune system [Reference Stewart8]. Colonisation can occur through contact with healthcare workers, contaminated medical equipment, or other colonised patients [Reference Tamma9].
The intestinal colonisation of ESBL-Kp can persist for extended periods in preterm neonates, and it serves as a potential source of infections, primarily through the ascension from the gut into the bloodstream, leading to sepsis, meningitis, and other serious conditions [Reference Giuffrè10]. Infections caused by ESBL-pneumoniae are associated with limited therapeutic options, leading to increased mortality and prolonged hospital stays [Reference Tzouvelekis11]. Furthermore, preterm infants who acquire ESBL-Kp infection face potential long-term complications and consequences, including neurodevelopmental outcomes, respiratory sequelae, and impacts on growth and nutrition [Reference Eberhart12].
Understanding the dynamics of intestinal carriage and subsequent infection with ESBL-Kp, particularly bloodstream infections in preterm neonates, is crucial for effective infection control in the NICU. Key preventive measures include strict hand hygiene, cohorting of colonised patients, and antimicrobial stewardship to limit the spread and impact of ESBL-Kp in this vulnerable population [Reference Savard and Perl13].
The primary objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of intestinal colonisation by ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae in a cohort of 339 preterm newborns, and to investigate potential risk factors for subsequent bacteraemia through a nested case–control analysis of 32 cases.
Materials and methods
Study design and patient cohort
This descriptive cohort, with a nested case–control analysis was conducted over 3 years (November 2020 to November 2023) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a Moroccan hospital. The study included 32 preterm neonates who developed healthcare-associated bacteraemia (HAB) and aimed to document the prevalence of intestinal colonisation by ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae (ESBL-Kp) and subsequent HAB, without implying causality. Infants born at ≥37 weeks, died or discharged/dying within 48 h were excluded. Active rectal surveillance was performed at admission, on days 5 and 10, and at regular intervals during prolonged hospitalisation, yielding 567 rectal swabs from 339 preterm neonates and 293 K. pneumoniae isolates. Thirty-two clinical strains were recovered from blood cultures of neonates with HAB.
Study outcomes and statistical analysis
For exploratory analyses, colonised neonates were considered “exposed” and non-colonised “non-exposed,” with HAB as the primary outcome. Time zero was defined as the first available screening, and follow-up ended at HAB onset, death, or discharge. Death and live discharge were treated as competing events. Kaplan–Meier survival curves and Fine–Grey cumulative incidence models were applied, along with cause-specific Cox regression, to evaluate associations between exposures and outcomes.
A nested case–control analysis compared colonised neonates who developed HAB (cases) to HAB patients without prior ESBL-Kp colonisation (controls) to identify potential risk factors. Continuous variables were analysed using Student’s t-test, and categorical variables using chi-square or Fisher’s exact test. Significant variables were included in a logistic regression model with stepwise backward selection (entry P = 0.05, removal P = 0.10) to identify independent factors associated with ESBL-Kp colonisation, reporting adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), controlling for confounders such as sex, birth weight, mode of delivery, gestational age, duration of hospitalisation, and history of PPROM. Time-to-event analyses also assessed colonisation and HAB onset under different antibiotic exposures (third-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems).
Analyses were conducted using SPSS version 23 and R version 3.4.0, with two-sided P-values <0.05 considered statistically significant. The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University Hospital, Fez, Morocco, and informed consent was obtained from parents or legal guardians.
Sample size
The sample size estimation was based on several assumptions derived from the literature and preliminary data [Reference Jiménez-Rojas14]. The expected prevalence of intestinal colonisation with extended-spectrum β-lactamase–producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) among preterm neonates admitted to the neonatal unit was estimated at 50%–60%. Among colonised infants, approximately 10% were expected to progress to sepsis, compared with about 4% in non-colonised infants, corresponding to an anticipated relative risk of 2.5. Statistical parameters included a significance level of 5% (type I error) and a statistical power of 80% (type II error set at 20%).
The approach adopted was that of a prospective observational study comparing two groups (exposed vs. non-exposed). The calculation of the sample size was based on the classical formula for comparing two independent proportions [Reference Whitley and Ball15]:
$$ \mathrm{n}=\left({\left({\mathrm{Z}}_{\unicode{x03B1}}/2+{\mathrm{Z}}_{\unicode{x03B2}}\right)}^2\mathrm{X}\;\left[{\mathrm{p}}_1\left(1\hbox{-} {\mathrm{p}}_1\right)+{\mathrm{p}}_2\left(1\hbox{-} {\mathrm{p}}_2\right)\right]\right)/{\left({\mathrm{p}}_1\hbox{-} {\mathrm{p}}_2\right)}^2 $$
where Z α/2 = 1.96, corresponding to a 95% confidence interval, Zβ = 0.84, corresponding to a statistical power of 80%, p 1 = 0.10, representing the estimated progression to sepsis among colonised neonates, p 2 = 0.04, representing the estimated progression to sepsis among non-colonised neonates.
Identification, phenotyping, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing
All isolates were identified based on microscopic, morphological, and biochemical characteristics. Cultures were initiated on Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) agar, and strain identification was performed using the API E20 system (BioMérieux). Antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed against 17 agents, including imipenem, meropenem, ertapenem, amoxicillin–clavulanic acid, ticarcillin–clavulanic acid, piperacillin–tazobactam, ceftazidime, cefoxitin, cefotaxime, amikacin, cefepime, gentamicin, levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid, trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole, and fosfomycin.
Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production was screened using Brilliance ESBL Agar (Oxoid). Carbapenemase production (KPC, OXA-48, VIM, IMP, NDM) was detected qualitatively using the NG-Test CARBA-5 (NG Biotech), with results incorporated as qualitative variables. Phenotypic data were correlated with the presence of corresponding resistance genes (blaKPC, blaOXA-48, blaVIM, blaIMP, blaNDM) to assess concordance. Escherichia coli ATCC® 25922 was used as a control, and results were interpreted according to EUCAST guidelines.
Molecular analysis of ESBL-producing strains
Only isolates from colonised patients who developed ESBL-Kp bacteraemia underwent molecular analysis. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were performed to detect β-lactamase-encoding genes, including blaCTX-M (phylogenetic groups 1, 2, and 9), blaTEM, blaSHV, and carbapenemase genes blaKPC, blaNDM, blaVIM, and blaOXA-48, following previously described protocols. [Reference Moussa16]
Study definitions
Neonatal bacteraemia [or bloodstream infection] was defined according to the criteria of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [Reference Horan, Andrus and Dudeck17].
Late-onset sepsis. Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. In neonates, late-onset sepsis (LOS) is distinguished from early-onset sepsis (EOS), which occurs within the first 48–72 h after birth. LOS is specifically defined as sepsis that manifests after 72 h post-delivery and can extend up to 28 days corrected gestational age [18, Reference Coggins and Glaser19].
Hospital-acquired bacteraemia. Bacteraemia was classified as community-acquired bacteraemia (CAB) or hospital-acquired bacteraemia (HAB). HAB was defined as a positive blood culture infection acquired after at least 48 h of hospital admission. HAB also included cases in which patients were transferred to our hospital from other hospitals where they had been hospitalised for over 48 h and the blood culture collected within 48 h of transfer was positive. All remaining cases were classified as CAB [Reference Kalil20].
Adverse neonatal outcomes. These are defined as any significant health issues occurring during the neonatal period. Key indicators include low birth weight (LBW), preterm delivery, Apgar scores, neonatal death, small for gestational age (SGA), and severe neonatal conditions such as respiratory distress syndrome, infections, or other significant morbidities [Reference Workineh and Workie21].
Prolonged exposure to third-generation cephalosporins (C3G). We defined prolonged exposure to third-generation cephalosporins (C3G) as the continuous administration of a C3G antibiotic (e.g., cefotaxime, ceftazidime, or ceftriaxone) for a duration of five or more consecutive days during hospitalisation in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) [Reference Tripathi, Cotten and Smith22].
Results
Patient cohort and risk factors for ESBL-Kp
Out of 339 preterm neonates, 182 (53.6%) tested positive for intestinal colonisation with ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae (ESBL-Kp), of which 26.8% carried KPC-producing strains during active rectal screening. Factors significantly associated with colonisation included low birth weight (OR = 1.69; p = 0.046), very preterm status (OR = 6.24; p = 0.038), enteral tube feeding (OR = 2.02; p = 0.046), and prolonged exposure to third-generation cephalosporins (OR = 1.26; p = 0.001), as identified in both univariate and multivariate analyses (Table 1).
Table 1. Preterm newborns baseline clinical characteristics and logistic regression of ESBL-Kp carriage status
Abbreviations: OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval; BSI, Bloodstream Infection.
a Frequency [%].
b Mean [SD].
c Median [range].
Exposure to broad-spectrum antibiotics was also associated with an increased cumulative incidence of ESBL-Kp intestinal colonisation. Kaplan–Meier cumulative incidence curves showed that neonates exposed to third-generation cephalosporins had a significantly higher risk of colonisation compared with unexposed neonates (Grey’s test, p = 0.032), with a median time to colonisation of 10 days (95% CI: 7.94–12.06) versus 17 days (95% CI: 12.39–21.61) in the non-exposed group (Figure 1). Similarly, carbapenem exposure was associated with earlier colonisation (Grey’s test, p = 0.023), with a median time to colonisation of 17 days (95% CI: 0.45–0.72) compared to 20 days (95% CI: 0.51–0.65) in non-exposed neonates (Figure 2).
Figure 1. The cumulative incidence curve illustrates the comparison of days of ESBL-Kp colonisation between the groups exposed and not exposed to third-generation cephalosporins. The median differs for both groups at the onset of antibiotic therapy.
Figure 2. The cumulative incidence curve illustrates the comparison of days of ESBL-Kp colonisation between the groups exposed and not exposed to carbapenems. The median differs for both groups at the onset of antibiotic therapy.
Overall, the incidence of ESBL-Kp healthcare-associated bacteraemia (HAB) was 9.4% (32/339). Among colonised neonates, 18/182 (9.8%) developed HABs, versus 14/157 (8.9%) in the non-colonised group, indicating comparable occurrence of HABs regardless of prior intestinal carriage (Tables 1 and 3).
Antimicrobial susceptibility and genetic diversity
During rectal screening, 293 non-duplicate K. pneumoniae isolates were recovered. Of these, 182 isolates (62.1%) were ESBL producers, with 50% carrying KPC carbapenemases. High resistance rates were observed for ertapenem (50.0%), piperacillin-tazobactam (100%), ticarcillin-clavulanic acid (65.9%), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (92.8%), ceftazidime (67.5%), cefepime (60.9%), cefotaxime (56.0%), and levofloxacin (69.7%), while lower resistance rates were seen for cefoxitin (26.9%), imipenem (18.2%), and meropenem (12.0%). Resistance genes included blaCTX-M1 (98.3%), blaTEM (30.2%), and blaSHV (26.3%), with carbapenemase genes blaOXA-48 (50.0%), blaNDM (15.3%), and blaVIM (4.9%) detected in subsets of isolates (Table 2).
Table 2. Resistance patterns and genetic profile of ESBL-Kp isolates from Blood culture and intestinal colonisation
Abbreviations: VIM, verona integron-encoded metallo-β-lactamase; NDM, New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase; KPC, K. pneumoniae carbapenemase; OXA-48, oxacillinase 48; CTX-M1–2-9, cefotaximase-Munich; SHV, sulphhydryl variable; TEM, temonera.
Among 32 ESBL-Kp blood isolates from HABs, all were resistant to piperacillin-tazobactam, ticarcillin-clavulanic acid, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, ceftazidime, and cefotaxime, while resistance to imipenem (6.2%), meropenem (3.1%), and ertapenem (6.2%) was lower. Molecular analysis showed universal presence of blaSHV and blaCTX-M1 (100%), and high prevalence of blaTEM (69.4%). Two isolates carried carbapenemase genes (blaOXA-48 and blaNDM) (Table 2). Biotyping based on antibiotic susceptibility and resistance gene patterns revealed three distinct clusters. Cluster 1 (Top-Left) predominantly harboured blaCTX-M9, blaTEM, and blaSHV, and exhibited notable carbapenem resistance (73% similarity; Euclidean distance 2.83). Cluster 2 (Middle) displayed mixed susceptibility profiles associated with blaCTX-M1 and blaSHV, with limited carbapenem resistance (67% dissimilarity; Euclidean distance 3.32). Cluster 3 (Bottom) showed extensive resistance and was strongly associated with blaOXA-48 and Carba-NG positivity, suggesting probable carbapenemase production (70% dissimilarity; Euclidean distance 2.65) (Supplementary Figure A1).
Clinical outcomes and mortality of ESBL-Kp HABs
Among the 32 HAB cases, 18 neonates (56.2%) had positive intestinal carriage (case group), while 14 (43.7%) were non-colonised (control group). Both groups included four extremely preterm infants evenly distributed (2 per group). The colonised group was predominantly female (55.5%) and had median postnatal age 9 h, gestational age 34 weeks, birth weight 1,560 g, and Apgar scores of 9 and 10 at 1 and 5 min, respectively. Caesarean deliveries accounted for 16.7% (Table 3 and Supplementary Table A1).
Table 3. Clinical characteristics, serum markers, and complications of preterm infants with HABs ESBL-Kp stratified by Colonisation status
Note: All values are shown as n [%] or median [interquartile range, 25%–75%].
Abbreviations: Apgar score1 = Apgar score at 1 min; Apgar score 5 = Apgar score at 5 min; BBW = Birth Body Weight; C/S = Caesarean Section; CRP = C-Reactive Protein; GA = Gestational Age; Hgb = Haemoglobin; PLT = Platelet; PPA = Postpartum Age; WBC = White Blood Count.
a Antimicrobial therapy protocol is detailed in Supplementary Table A2.
Significant differences between colonised and non-colonised neonates were observed in postnatal age and birth weight, whereas sex, gestational age, mode of delivery, and Apgar scores were comparable. Colonised infants had higher platelet counts (217 × 106/μL vs. 201 × 106/μL; p < 0.05) and lower CRP levels (77 vs. 179; p < 0.05). Differences in WBC and haemoglobin were not statistically significant (WBC: p = 0.09; Hgb: p = 0.114).
Clinical complications were similar overall, except for worsening respiratory distress, which was less frequent among colonised infants (11.1%) compared with non-colonised infants (42.8%; p < 0.05). No differences were observed in cerebral haemorrhage, alveolar haemorrhage, renal failure, sepsis, circulatory failure, or antibiotic treatment (Table 3 and Supplementary Table A1).
The overall mortality rate was 21.2% (72/339), with no significant difference between colonised and non-colonised neonates (Table 1). HAB-associated mortality was higher (71.8%; 23/32), but remained comparable between colonised (66.7%) and non-colonised neonates (78.5%; p = 0.367; Table 3). Kaplan–Meier survival analyses showed no significant difference in mortality according to colonisation (log-rank p = 0.497) or bacteraemia (log-rank p = 0.330), with median survival times of 34 and 10 days, respectively (95% CI: 0.43–0.67 for colonisation; 0.13–0.70 for bacteraemia), and overlapping confidence intervals and nearly superimposed survival curves.
Multivariate analysis identified worsening respiratory distress (aRR = 29.32; 95% CI: 2.66–322.37; p = 0.005) and alveolar haemorrhage (aRR = 4.45; 95% CI: 1.03–19.10; p = 0.044) as independent predictors of increased mortality. In contrast, prematurity and the presence of HABs were not significantly associated with mortality outcomes (Table 4 and Figures 3 and 4).
Table 4. Survival with HABs, stratified by prematurity categories and clinical complications
a Adjusted for GA, Vaginal Delivery, and Sex.
Figure 3. Kaplan–Meier survival estimates among preterm neonates by ESBL-Kp colonisation status. The median survival time appears to be approximately the same for both groups.
Figure 4. Kaplan–Meier survival estimates among preterm neonates with and without ESBL-Kp HABs.
Discussion
Over a 3-year period, we monitored intestinal acquisition of ESBL-Kp in preterm infants hospitalised in the NCUI, aiming to investigate the widely debated link between gut colonisation and subsequent ESBL-Kp bacteremia. Among the 339 preterm infants included, 182 (53.6%) were colonised during hospitalisation according to our active screening protocol. This high prevalence is consistent with previous studies on gut colonisation [Reference Magill23, Reference Parm24]. Notably, gastrointestinal colonisation with K. pneumoniae is common in neonates, with reported rates as high as 87%, and up to 70% of infections linked to prior colonisation in NICU patients [Reference Jiménez-Rojas14].
In our cohort, enteral tube feeding was associated with ESBL-Kp colonisation, corroborating findings by Petersen et al., who showed that enteral tubes increase bacterial load from day one [Reference Petersen, Greisen and Krogfelt25]. Additional studies have demonstrated that microbial flora in feeding tubes contributes to intestinal colonisation in neonates [Reference Ogrodzki26]. Moreover, prolonged exposure to third-generation cephalosporins was significantly associated with ESBL-Kp acquisition. This aligns with findings by Tacconelli et al. and Rohde et al., who identified empirical antibiotic treatment as a major risk factor for colonisation in neonates [Reference Tacconelli27, Reference Rohde28]. While some research suggests early antibiotic use does not increase colonisation by multidrug-resistant organisms [Reference Bubser29], other studies, including ours, support its role as an independent risk factor. The effect varies depending on whether antibiotics are used as monotherapy or in combination [Reference Tacconelli27].
We estimated the overall prevalence of healthcare-associated bacteremia (HAB) due to ESBL-Kp in our cohort at 9.43% (32/339). Among colonised infants, 18 of 182 (9.8%) developed HAB, compared to 14 of 157 (8.9%) in the non-colonised group – rates similar to those reported elsewhere. Chen et al. found a bacteremia incidence of 8.0% in colonised neonates versus 1.9% in non-colonised ones [Reference Chen30]. Their homology analysis also demonstrated close genetic relatedness between intestinal and extraintestinal isolates, supporting the hypothesis that the gut serves as a reservoir for systemic infections [Reference Chen30].
Our molecular analysis showed that gut colonisation isolates carried a high prevalence of blaCTX-M-1(98.3%), with moderate rates of blaSHV (26.37%) and blaTEM (30.2%). The detection of carbapenemase genes, blaOXA-48 (50.0%), blaNDM (15.3%), and blaVIM (4.9%) indicates the presence of multidrug-resistant strains. Among bacteremia isolates, we observed 100% prevalence of blaCTX-M-1, and blaTEM (69.4%), with sporadic detection of blaOXA-48, and blaNDM in two cases. This variation reflects the capacity of K. pneumoniae to acquire resistance genes under antibiotic pressure [Reference Berglund31].
In our study, we utilised antibiotic susceptibility testing, phenotyping, and genetic diversity analysis as biotyping tools to evaluate the similarities. Our results support the clonal relationship hypothesis, suggesting that bacteremia frequently originates from intestinal strains [Reference Jiménez-Rojas14]. Notably, K. pneumoniae displayed broad resistance, particularly to cephalosporins. Third-generation cephalosporins, especially ceftriaxone, were commonly used in the NICU for empirical treatment of clinical sepsis, often alongside aminoglycosides. We hypothesize that this selective pressure contributed to the emergence of resistant strains [Reference Das32, Reference Rohde28].
C-reactive protein (CRP) remains the standard serum marker for neonatal bacteremia, but distinguishing between postnatal physiological elevation and infection remains difficult [Reference Chiesa33]. In our study, the CRP cut-off for late-onset sepsis (LONS) due to ESBL-Kp showed a significant difference between colonised and non-colonised infants: 77 (29.00–91.50) vs. 79 (77.00–80.75), p < 0.05. This contradicts our hypothesis that colonised infants would have higher CRP levels. Although elevated CRP may reflect increased bacterial translocation in certain conditions, such as bowel obstruction, a single CRP value is not a reliable diagnostic marker for HAB [Reference Sharma34]. Serial CRP measurements at 6–12 h after onset are recommended for better diagnostic accuracy.
Clinical complications significantly affected mortality. Worsening respiratory distress and alveolar haemorrhage were associated with increased risk of death (aRR = 29.32, 95% CI = 2.66–322.37, p = 0.005; and aRR = 4.45, 95% CI = 1.03–19.10, p = 0.044, respectively). In contrast, gestational age, sepsis category, birth weight, and Apgar scores were not significantly associated with mortality, consistent with other studies [Reference Tang35].
The overall mortality rate in our cohort was 21.2% (72/339), with no significant difference between colonised and non-colonised groups. Among HAB cases, mortality reached 71.8% (23 cases), with similar rates in colonised (66.6%, 12/18) and non-colonised (78.5%, 11/14) infants. These results align with prior findings, including a 28.6% mortality rate in preterm infants reported by Lemma et al., especially during the first week of life [Reference Tirore36]. Mortality has also been correlated with lower gestational age, low birth weight, and respiratory distress syndrome, which accounts for up to 45% of neonatal deaths [Reference Jain37, Reference Basiri38]. In our study, only three colonised infants with HAB presented with acute circulatory failure, without significant group differences.
This study has several limitations. First, the absence of complete homology data between intestinal and bloodstream isolates restricts our capacity to confirm direct transmission pathways. Second, the sample size estimation, although based on established formulae and adjusted for an anticipated 10% rate of missing data, was not fully achieved, thereby limiting the statistical power and reducing the strength of causal inferences. Third, surveillance bias may have occurred, as neonates with longer hospital stays or greater exposure to medical interventions were subjected to more frequent cultures, potentially increasing the likelihood of detecting transmission. Accordingly, the findings should be considered exploratory and primarily hypothesis-generating, highlighting the need for larger, multicentre cohort studies in the future.
Conclusion
While no significant difference in mortality was found between colonised and non-colonised groups with HAB, our findings underscore the clinical importance of intestinal ESBL-Kp colonisation in preterm infants. HAB due to ESBL-Kp is associated with high morbidity and mortality and highlights the urgent need for infection control measures in NICUs. The potential for clonal dissemination within hospital settings necessitates strict hygiene protocols, early screening, and containment of colonised cases to reduce the risk of life-threatening infections in this vulnerable population.
Abbreviations
- aRR
-
Adjusted Relative Risk
- BBW
-
Birth Weight
- CAB
-
Community-Acquired Bacteremia
- CDC
-
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- CI
-
Confidence Interval
- CRP
-
C-Reactive Protein
- EMB
-
Eosin Methylene Blue
- EOS
-
Early-Onset Sepsis
- EUCAST
-
European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing
- HABs
-
Hospital-Acquired Bacteremia
- Hgb
-
Haemoglobin
- LBW
-
Low Birth Weight
- LMICs
-
Low- and Middle-Income Countries
- LOS
-
Late-Onset Sepsis
- NICUs
-
Neonatal Intensive Care Units
- OR
-
Odds Ratio
- PCR
-
Polymerase Chain Reaction
- PPA
-
Postpartum Age
- PPROM
-
Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes
- SGA
-
Small Gestational Age
- WBC
-
White Blood Cell
Supplementary material
The supplementary material for this article can be found at http://doi.org/10.1017/S0950268825100630.
Data availability statement
The datasets supporting this study are included in the article, and excess information is available from the corresponding author upon request.
Author contribution
Data curation: A.M., K.M., S.B., S.E.; Conceptualization: B.O., F.H., G.Y., M.B.; Investigation: D.O.; Resources: M.R.
Competing interests
No conflict of interest is declared.
Ethical standard
This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy and the Hassan II University Hospital of Fez, Morocco (number 05/24), and complied with the principles of the Ethics Declaration following the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki.
Funding statement
This work did not receive any specific financial support from public, commercial, or nonprofit agencies.
Open access
