Title: High Rates of Antibiotic Resistance Putting Children’s Lives at Risk, Finds University of Sydney Study
In a concerning development, drugs commonly used to treat infections in children and babies are losing their effectiveness due to soaring rates of antibiotic resistance, according to a study led by the University of Sydney. The research has revealed that several antibiotics recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) have less than 50 percent effectiveness in treating childhood infections such as pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis.
The study, which analyzed bacterial isolates from 11 countries, found that the regions most affected by antibiotic resistance are in South-East Asia and the Pacific, including Indonesia and the Philippines. Shockingly, unnecessary deaths in children due to antibiotic resistance occur every year in these areas.
Recognizing the severity of the issue, the WHO has declared antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as one of the top 10 global public health threats. The study emphasizes the urgent need for updated global antibiotic guidelines to keep pace with the rapidly evolving rates of AMR.
Highlighted in the study were the limited effectiveness of two antibiotics in particular: ceftriaxone and gentamicin. Ceftriaxone was found to be effective in treating only one in three cases of sepsis or meningitis in newborn babies, while gentamicin had a success rate of fewer than half of all cases in children.
To address this growing crisis, the study recommends prioritizing funding for the development of new antibiotic treatments specifically for children and newborns. Dr. Phoebe Williams, the lead author of the study, stressed the urgent need for innovative solutions to prevent the deaths of thousands of children due to AMR.
In her ongoing research, Dr. Williams is investigating the potential use of an older antibiotic, fosfomycin, as a temporary treatment for multidrug-resistant urinary tract infections in children. The study highlights the importance of high-quality laboratory data in monitoring AMR and promptly updating treatment guidelines.
As the threat of antibiotic resistance looms large, it is imperative that global health organizations, researchers, and governments come together to tackle this crisis. Failure to do so could jeopardize the lives of countless children around the world. Urgent action is needed to ensure the development of effective antibiotic treatments and preserve the wellbeing of our youngest and most vulnerable population.
