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Antimicrobial therapy in neonatal intensive care unit
Chryssoula Tzialla1, Alessandro Borghesi2, Gregorio Serra3
1Neonatologia, Patologia Neonatale e Terapia Intensiva neonatale, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Piazzale Golgi 19, 27100, Pavia, Italy. c.tzialla@smatteo.pv.it.
Italian Journal of Pediatrics
|April 19, 2015
Summary
Antibiotic overuse in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) is a significant concern, particularly for preterm infants with negative cultures. This review emphasizes appropriate antibiotic use to prevent adverse events and reduce neonatal mortality from severe infections.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Severe infections are a leading cause of neonatal mortality globally.
- Antibiotics are frequently used in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), with ~1% of neonates receiving therapy.
- Empiric antibiotic therapy is common due to nonspecific sepsis symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the inappropriate use of antibiotics in NICUs.
- To examine the impact of antibiotic treatment in preterm infants with negative cultures.
- To summarize optimal antimicrobial choices and durations for neonatal sepsis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of antibiotic use in neonatal sepsis.
- Analysis of risks associated with empiric broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment.
- Synthesis of evidence on appropriate antimicrobial selection and therapy duration.
Main Results:
- Continued antibiotic use without microbiological justification can lead to adverse events.
- Preterm infants with negative cultures may experience harm from unnecessary antibiotic exposure.
- Evidence-based guidelines for neonatal sepsis treatment are crucial.
Conclusions:
- Optimizing antibiotic selection and duration is vital in neonatal care.
- Reducing inappropriate antibiotic use in NICUs can prevent adverse outcomes.
- Judicious antibiotic stewardship is essential for improving neonatal survival rates.
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