A concerning global health issue has emerged as common childhood infections are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics. A study led by the University of Sydney has unveiled high rates of bacterial resistance to antibiotics commonly prescribed for children and babies, rendering these drugs ineffective in many parts of the world.
The research discovered that several antibiotics recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) had an efficacy of less than 50 percent in treating childhood infections like pneumonia, sepsis (bloodstream infections), and meningitis. These findings underscore the urgent need for a reassessment of global antibiotic guidelines, which currently appear outdated in the face of escalating antibiotic resistance.
REGIONAL IMPACT
The regions most severely affected by this crisis are in South-East Asia and the Pacific, including countries like Indonesia and the Philippines, where thousands of preventable child deaths due to antibiotic resistance occur annually. The World Health Organization (WHO) has labelled antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as one of the top ten global public health threats.
CHILDHOOD SEPSIS AND MENINGITIS
In neonates, it is estimated that three million cases of sepsis occur worldwide each year, leading to approximately 570,000 deaths. A significant number of these fatalities are attributed to the lack of effective antibiotics to combat drug-resistant bacteria. This research highlights that common bacteria responsible for sepsis and meningitis in children have increasingly developed resistance to prescribed antibiotics.
URGENT NEED FOR UPDATED GUIDELINES
The study emphasizes the necessity of revising global antibiotic guidelines to address the rapidly evolving rates of antimicrobial resistance. The most recent guidelines from the WHO were published in 2013, indicating a critical need for more up-to-date recommendations.
SPECIFIC ANTIBIOTICS’ EFFECTIVENESS
The research identified specific antibiotics like ceftriaxone and gentamicin that are becoming less effective in treating sepsis and meningitis in children. These antibiotics are widely used in various parts of the world, including Australia, for treating infections in children.
CALL FOR ACTION
Dr. Phoebe Williams, the lead author of the study, emphasizes the growing prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections in children across the globe. She stresses that the issue of antimicrobial resistance is not limited to any particular region and underscores the urgency of finding new solutions to prevent needless child fatalities.
THE GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
The study analyzed 6,648 bacterial isolates from 11 countries, shedding light on the growing problem of antibiotic resistance in childhood infections. Dr. Williams advocates for increased funding to investigate new antibiotic treatments specifically tailored for children and newborns, as this group is often overlooked in antibiotic research and development.
This research serves as a wake-up call to the world, including Australia, to address the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance. Dr. Williams and her colleagues are actively exploring potential solutions, including reevaluating old antibiotics and collaborating with the WHO to ensure that children have access to effective antibiotics to combat multidrug-resistant infections and save lives.
The study also highlights the need for high-quality laboratory data to continuously monitor the situation and make timely adjustments to treatment guidelines. It’s clear that tackling antibiotic resistance in childhood infections is an urgent global health priority.
