[Trend of antimicrobial susceptibility in a neonatal and pediatric intensive care unit]

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• Nosocomial infections pose a significant global health challenge, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs).
• Understanding antimicrobial susceptibility trends is crucial for effective treatment strategies in vulnerable patient populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the 10-year trend of antimicrobial susceptibility in pediatric and neonatal intensive care units.
• To identify specific antimicrobial agents most affected by resistance.

Main Methods:

• A follow-up cohort study design was employed over a 10-year period.
• Antimicrobial use was the independent variable, and susceptibility was the dependent variable.
• Statistical analysis included chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests (p < 0.05 significance).

Main Results:

• Overall antimicrobial susceptibility decreased significantly from 66% to 45% over the decade (p = 0.002).
• A notable global loss of 13% in antimicrobial effectiveness was observed.
• Specific agents like first-generation cephalosporins, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, imipenem, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole showed significant susceptibility declines.

Conclusions:

• There is an alarming and significant loss of effectiveness in commonly used antimicrobial agents.
• The findings highlight a critical need for antimicrobial stewardship and the development of new therapeutic options.