Scope of Antibiotic Stewardship Programs in Pediatrics

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health concern.
• Effective antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs) are crucial for optimizing antibiotic use in pediatric populations.
• Previous research has focused on adult populations, necessitating a review of pediatric-specific strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize interventions used in pediatric antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs).
• To evaluate the impact of these pediatric ASPs on antibiotic prescribing, antibiotic consumption, and antimicrobial resistance.
• To identify trends and characteristics of pediatric ASPs.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of studies on pediatric antibiotic stewardship.
• Searched databases using terms like "antimicrobial stewardship," "antibiotic stewardship," "children," and "pediatric."
• Followed PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines for study selection and review.

Main Results:

• Twenty-one studies published in the last 15 years were included, with a notable increase after 2007 IDSA guidelines.
• The majority of programs (90%) focused on inpatient settings, with 16 formalized ASPs and 5 non-ASP actions.
• Pediatric ASPs demonstrated a reduction in antibiotic prescribing, but only one showed a significant impact on antimicrobial resistance. However, overall antibiotic consumption in pediatrics improved.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric antibiotic stewardship programs significantly contribute to improving antibiotic use in children.
• These programs can reduce antibiotic prescribing without causing complications.
• Further research is needed to fully understand the impact of pediatric ASPs on antimicrobial resistance.