Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 25, 2025

Population and Single-Cell Analysis of Antibiotic Persistence in Escherichia coli
12:29

Population and Single-Cell Analysis of Antibiotic Persistence in Escherichia coli

Published on: March 24, 2023

2.2K

Excessively Prolonged Early Antibiotic Duration in Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort

Shanshan Hou1,2, Xiaokang Wang3, Fang Wang4

  • 1Department of Neonatology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250021, People's Republic of China.

Infection and Drug Resistance
|April 26, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Prolonged early antibiotic use is common in very-low-birth-weight infants in China, with 91.7% receiving extended courses. Reducing antibiotic duration and limiting specific drug classes can combat overuse in developing nations.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Antibiotic overuse is a significant global health concern, particularly in developing countries.
  • Prolonged antibiotic duration contributes to overuse, yet receives insufficient attention in high-consumption regions.
  • Very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants are vulnerable to antibiotic-related complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of prolonged early antibiotic duration in VLBW infants.
  • To describe antibiotic prescribing patterns in a large Chinese multicenter cohort.
  • To identify factors associated with prolonged antibiotic courses in VLBW infants.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective, institution-based cohort study in 16 tertiary hospitals in China (2019-2020).
  • Included VLBW infants receiving early antibiotics (within 3 days of life).
  • Defined prolonged antibiotic courses as >7 days for early-onset sepsis (EOS) or >3 days for unlikely EOS.

Main Results:

  • 91.7% of 1684 eligible VLBW infants received prolonged early antibiotic courses.
  • Median duration was 13 days; 78.0% exceeded 7 days, 43.6% exceeded 14 days.
  • Prolonged courses were associated with polypharmacy, escalated therapy, and use of third-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems.

Conclusions:

  • Excessively prolonged early antibiotic durations are prevalent in Chinese VLBW infants.
  • Standardized guidelines for timely antibiotic discontinuation are crucial.
  • Limiting broad-spectrum antibiotics like third-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems may reduce overuse.
Abstract

Keywords:
days of therapyearly antibiotic useprolonged antibiotic coursevery-low-birth-weight infants

More Related Videos

Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants07:08

Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants

Published on: March 6, 2018

6.2K
Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses11:17

Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses

Published on: August 30, 2018

13.0K

Related Concept Videos

Pulmonary Tuberculosis V01:28

Pulmonary Tuberculosis V

Medical management of tuberculosis (TB) patients involves a comprehensive approach that includes diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring. The specific strategies can vary depending on the type of tuberculosis (latent or active), the patient's overall health status, and other considerations.
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the...
253
Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management01:28

Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management

Introduction:For diagnosing acute pyelonephritis, a comprehensive patient history is collected to identify symptoms such as dysuria, frequent or urgent urination, flank pain, or costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness that may suggest a kidney infection.Physical ExaminationDuring the physical examination, CVA tenderness is assessed. This involves gentle percussion over the costovertebral angle, where tenderness often indicates a kidney infection.Diagnostic TestsUrinalysis: Used to identify white...
60
Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview01:21

Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview

When it comes to infants and young children, they are typically administered smaller doses of medication in comparison to adults. This is primarily because their organ functions still need to fully develop, meaning their bodies are not as efficient at metabolizing or eliminating drugs. Additionally, their blood-brain barrier is more permeable than in adults. As a result, high concentrations of drugs can easily penetrate the central nervous system (CNS), potentially leading to neurological...
2.4K
Development of Antibiotic Resistance01:30

Development of Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance is a major public health concern that arises when bacteria evolve mechanisms to withstand the effects of antibiotic treatments. This resistance can be intrinsic, acquired through genetic mutations, or transferred between bacteria via horizontal gene transfer. The development of antibiotic resistance poses significant challenges in treating bacterial infections and necessitates ongoing research to develop new therapeutic strategies.Intrinsic resistance occurs when bacterial...
273
Antibiotic Selection00:57

Antibiotic Selection

Overview
55.6K
Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV01:26

Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV

Tuberculosis, more commonly referred to as TB, is an infectious disease stemming from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While it primarily impacts the lungs, TB can also affect other body areas. Given its severity and global impact, timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial for controlling its spread and improving patient outcomes.
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
216