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Growth and development in preterm infants receiving fluoroquinolones
M Martell1, S de Ben, M Weinberger
1Latin American Center for Perinatology and Human Development, Montevideo, Uruguay.
Insights
Fluoroquinolones, used to treat severe neonatal sepsis, showed no adverse effects on growth or development in preterm infants. This suggests fluoroquinolones may be a viable option for treating resistant bacterial infections in newborns.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Neonatal sepsis poses a significant threat to preterm infants.
- Limited treatment options exist for sepsis caused by multidrug-resistant organisms.
- Fluoroquinolones are potent antibiotics but their use in neonates requires careful consideration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of fluoroquinolones in treating neonatal sepsis.
- To assess the impact of neonatal fluoroquinolone exposure on infant growth and development.
- To investigate the potential of fluoroquinolones as a life-saving therapy for resistant infections.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study followed 7 preterm infants treated with fluoroquinolones for sepsis.
- Two control groups of neonates, matched for key demographic and clinical factors, were included.
- Growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes were compared between the fluoroquinolone group and control groups.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences in growth or development were observed between infants receiving fluoroquinolones and controls.
- The fluoroquinolone group experienced more severe illness, highlighting the critical need for effective treatment.
- No osteoarticular issues or joint deformities were reported in infants treated with fluoroquinolones.
Conclusions:
- Fluoroquinolones appear to be a safe therapeutic option for preterm neonates with sepsis caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria.
- This study supports the use of fluoroquinolones as a life-saving intervention when other treatments are ineffective.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these findings in larger cohorts.
Abstract:
Growth and development were followed in 7 preterm newborn infants who received fluoroquinolones in the neonatal period. Quinolones were used as a "life saving" therapy in cases of sepsis caused by bacterial agents sensitive only to these drugs. Two other groups of neonates matched for gender, birth weight and gestational age served as controls. Although the quinolone group had more severe illness, no statistically significant differences were observed in growth and development between the groups. No osteoarticular problems or joint deformities were observed in the quinolone group. Therefore, quinolones could be a therapeutic option for newborns with sepsis caused by multiply resistant organisms.