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Colistin use in neonates with multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections: challenges in antimicrobial stewardship
Muhammad Shahid Mehmood1, Fatima Hajj2
1Institute of Microbiology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Insights
Colistin is crucial for treating multidrug-resistant infections in newborns, but its use is debated due to safety concerns and emerging resistance. Optimizing its application is vital for vulnerable infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal intensive care
- Infectious diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Colistin is a vital last-resort antibiotic for multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative infections in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
- MDR Gram-negative infections cause significant mortality and morbidity in neonates, often presenting as late-onset sepsis.
- Colistin use in neonates is controversial due to limited pharmacokinetic data, toxicity risks (nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity), and emerging resistance.
Abstract:
The resurgence of colistin as a last-resort antibiotic has become pivotal in managing multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative infections in neonatal intensive care units. Despite its life-saving potential, colistin use in neonates remains controversial due to limited pharmacokinetic data, variable dosing strategies, and substantial risks of nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity. Globally, MDR Gram-negative infections account for nearly half of late-onset neonatal sepsis cases, contributing to high mortality and prolonged hospitalization. The emergence of mcr-mediated colistin resistance and inconsistent adherence to antimicrobial stewardship protocols further complicate management. Evidence reveals that a significant proportion of neonatal colistin use is empiric rather than culture-driven, underscoring the gap between guidelines and clinical practice. Strengthening stewardship frameworks, integrating therapeutic drug monitoring, and adopting real-time resistance surveillance are essential to safeguard colistin efficacy and mitigate resistance spread among vulnerable neonatal populations.
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