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Background

Prolonged empiric antibiotics therapy in neonates results in several adverse consequences including widespread antibiotic resistance, late onset sepsis (LOS), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), prolonged hospital course (HC) and increase in mortality rates.

Objectives

To assess the risk factors and the outcome of prolonged empiric antibiotic therapy in very low birth weight (VLBW) newborns.

Materials and Methods

Prospective study in VLBW neonates admitted to NICU and survived> 2 W, from July 2011-June 2012. All relevant perinatal and postnatal data including duration of antibiotics therapy (Group I< 2W vs Group II> 2W) and outcome up to the time of discharge or death were documented and compared.

Results

Out of 145 newborns included in the study, 62 were in group I, and 83 in Group II. Average duration of antibiotic therapy was 14 days (range 3-62 days); duration in Group I and Group II was 10 …