ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE PATTERNS OF PATHOGENIC BACTERIA IN CHILDREN UNDER 5 YEARS OLD WITH SUSPECTED SEPTICEMIA IN KERKUK, IRAQ
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Objective: Septicemia, a dangerous blood disease, is a life-threatening condition that can affect infants and young children, especially in less developed countries. Methods: This study involves a bacteriological investigation to correlate the pattern of resistance of pathogenic bacteria isolates against antibiotic resistance patterns in septicemia cases of children under 5 years old admitted to Kerkuk Gynecology and Children Hospital in Iraq for the period extended from July 2024 to Jan. 2025. A total of 120 children (72 Female and 48 Male) aged 1–60 months old, compared with 40 similar age healthy children. The isolated pathogenic bacteria were also subject to biochemical tests and antibiotic susceptibility profiling. Results: Babies and infants ages ranged between 1-18 months were the most susceptible ages in comparison with older children. The most common bacteria isolated from blood samples were Staphylococcus aureus (31.6%) and Escherichia coli (25.5%). Septicemia isolates exhibited significant resistance to antibiotics, i.e., Azithromycin (AZM) and Cephalexin (CEV), while Meropenem (MRP) and Vancomycin (VAN) were effective against most isolates. Novelty: The specific cell culture is deemed mandatory as a quick check-up for antibiotic resistance prior to administration for babies. The applications of the results can help enhance the handling of sepsis in infants and younger children, especially in poorer regions of Kirkuk.
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