Health & Medicine, Australia (Commonwealth Union) – Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been a significant threat to global health, and its impact on vulnerable populations, such as babies, is a growing concern. Newborns and infants are particularly susceptible to infections, and the overuse or misuse of antibiotics in this population contributes to the emergence of resistant pathogens. In this article, we will explore the issue of antimicrobial resistance in babies, its causes, consequences, and the urgent need for effective strategies to address this concerning trend.
Several factors have been known to contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance in babies. First, the inappropriate use of antibiotics, including over-prescribing, incorrect dosing, and prolonged treatment durations, can lead to selective pressure on bacteria, favoring the survival of resistant strains. Additionally, the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, which target a wide range of bacteria, can disrupt the balance of the baby’s microbiota, allowing resistant organisms to flourish. Moreover, the transmission of resistant bacteria from healthcare settings and close contacts further exacerbates the problem.
A couple of landmark studies from a group of global researchers has given new insights on antibiotic overuse in newborns, emphasizing the requirement for improved practices and interventions to minimize possible harm to babies’ forming microbiomes and future risks to their health.
The 1st study, appearing in The Journal of the American Medical Association Network Open, presented findings from the widest cohort till now with the involvement of 760,000 infants, exploring the incidence of major bacterial infections neonatal sepsis in the 1st week of life and the corresponding utilization of antibiotics.
Clinical Professor at The University of Western Australia (UWA) Medical School Tobias Strunk, who is the Program Head of Neonatal and Life Course Health for Telethon Kids Institute as well as a Consultant Neonatologist at King Edward Memorial Hospital, was a senior author as well as the only Australian researcher on the team, and indicated that the study showed major overuse of antibiotics in the early stages of life, with Australia experiencing particularly increased numbers.
He indicated that they discovered that when the study was underway almost 3% newborn babies were given antibiotics in their 1st week, leading to an average of 135 days of antibiotic exposure per 1000 births.
“Multiple babies – up to 58 – were treated with antibiotics as a precautionary measure when one case of sepsis was identified, with a total of 273 cumulative days of antibiotic treatment across all the babies involved in the study.”
The 2nd paper, appearing in Nature Communications, for which Professor Strunk was a senior author as well, gave greater detailed in the exploration of facts playing a role in the overtreatment, the possible adverse effects, as well as the tools that must be produced and implemented to address and lower it.
He also indicated that neonatal antibiotic treatments had been associated with mother-newborn separation, lengthier stays in hospital, reduced breastfeeding rates, as well as elevated healthcare expenses.
The scientists discovered that a collaborative effort was required to optimize the decision-making process regarding antibiotic therapy in newborns, with 3 steps proposed to make this possible.
Professor Strunk indicated that the 1st was to quantify as well as share performance data, to bring about a sense of urgency for behavior change and bring about responsible decision-making; and the 2nd to form an open-access benchmark dashboard contrasting the burden of disease with the burden of treatment.
A 3rd measure was for researchers hope to produce educational interventions as well as innovative techniques with the application of AI along with routine data analysis with the objective of keeping newborns’ microbiomes, tackle antimicrobial resistance and enhance health outcomes for future generations.
Researchers from across the globe have indicated that addressing antimicrobial resistance requires a multifaceted approach. Enhancing awareness and understanding among healthcare professionals, patients, and the general public about the appropriate use of antimicrobial drugs is crucial. Improved surveillance systems and diagnostic tools are necessary to identify and track resistant infections accurately. Strengthening infection prevention and control measures, promoting good hygiene practices, and ensuring access to clean water and sanitation facilities are vital components of any strategy to combat AMR.
