Urinary tract infection among neonates in Benin City, Nigeria

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common serious bacterial infection found in febrile infants and young children who present without an obvious source of infection. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of UTIs among neonates in Benin City, Nigeria. Suprapubic urine aspirate or catheter urine specimens were obtained from 266 (85 male and 181 female) neonates with signs and symptoms of UTI. Significant microbial isolates were identified in the urine specimens, and an antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed on bacterial isolates using standard techniques. Male sex was a significant risk factor for acquiring UTI in the neonates (odds ratio = 4.336, 95% confidence interval = 1.546–12.112, p = 0.0064). Klebsiella species were the organisms most prevalent in causing UTIs (28.57%) within all age groups of neonates. Candida albicans was recovered only from neonates within the first week of life. Although bacterial isolates were more susceptible to nitrofurantoin, the susceptibility profiles of bacterial isolates were generally poor. An overall UTI prevalence rate of 6.39% was observed among neonates. Male infants had an approximately 2–12-fold increased risk of acquiring a UTI, and Klebsiella species were the isolates most predominant in causing neonatal UTI. Rational use of antibiotics is advocated to stem the tide of antibacterial resistance.