The study highlights how drug-resistant infections disproportionately affect children, particularly in Africa and South East Asia, as antibiotic use surges amid stagnating new antibiotic development.
Alarming Rise in Child Deaths Due to Drug-Resistant Infections
Alarming Rise in Child Deaths Due to Drug-Resistant Infections
A significant new study reveals that over three million children died globally in 2022 due to antimicrobial resistance, emphasizing urgent public health concerns.
More than three million children died globally in 2022 due to infections resistant to antibiotics, according to a new report by child health experts. The alarming figure sheds light on the dire impact of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a condition where bacteria evolve to withstand antibiotic treatment. Regions like Africa and South East Asia are identified as particularly vulnerable.
The findings, derived from data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank, estimate that over three million children succumbed to drug-resistant infections last year. Experts express concern that the Covid pandemic may have exacerbated the increase in AMR-related child deaths.
Antibiotics are crucial for treating various bacterial infections—from skin issues to pneumonia—and are often used preventatively. However, they are ineffective against viral infections such as colds or flu. Misuse and overuse of antibiotics have contributed to certain bacteria developing resistance, while the pace of new antibiotic development has significantly slowed.
The lead authors of the study, Dr. Yanhong Jessika Hu from Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Professor Herb Harwell from the Clinton Health Access Initiative, report a staggering increase in the use of "watch antibiotics" and "reserve antibiotics" between 2019 and 2021 in these regions. The data indicates a 160% rise in the use of watch antibiotics in South East Asia and 126% in Africa, while reserve antibiotics usage increased by 45% and 125%, respectively.
The authors warn that the continued development of resistance among bacteria could result in a lack of viable treatment options for multidrug-resistant infections. Presenting these findings at the upcoming Congress of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in Vienna, Professor Harwell emphasized the serious nature of AMR, highlighting its disproportionate impact on children.
Addressing AMR is no simple task, according to Professor Harwell, due to its pervasive nature across various medical fields and its consequences in everyday life. The WHO categorizes AMR as one of today's most pressing global health challenges. Without robust responses from the global community, the risk remains that efforts to improve child health may suffer setbacks, particularly in vulnerable regions.
Dr. Lindsey Edwards from King's College London remarks that the new study underscores a concerning trend in child health related to AMR, urging global leaders to take immediate and decisive action to avert a potential health crisis.
