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Carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae: an emerging problem in children

Latania K Logan1

  • 1Section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Rush University Medical Center, Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois, USA. Latania_Logan@rush.edu

Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
|June 16, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Antibiotic resistance is a critical threat, especially carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in children. This review examines CRE infections in pediatric populations, covering epidemiology, risk factors, and treatment outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Pediatric Medicine

Background:

  • Antibiotic resistance in gram-negative bacteria is escalating globally.
  • Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) pose a significant threat due to resistance to multiple antibiotic classes.
  • CRE infections are linked to high morbidity and mortality, increasingly affecting vulnerable pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE).
  • To focus on CRE infections specifically within the pediatric population.
  • To summarize current data on CRE in children, including epidemiology, clinical features, resistance mechanisms, risk factors, and treatment.

Main Methods:

  • This is a review article.
  • It synthesizes existing literature and data on CRE infections in children.
  • Focuses on epidemiological trends, clinical presentations, and therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

  • CRE infections in children are associated with severe illness and poor outcomes.
  • Common carbapenemase types and risk factors in pediatric patients are identified.
  • Data highlights the challenges in treating multi-drug resistant infections in this age group.

Conclusions:

  • CRE represents a growing challenge in pediatric infectious diseases.
  • Understanding the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of CRE in children is crucial for effective management.
  • Further research and targeted interventions are needed to combat CRE in pediatric populations.

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