Alarming Rise in Child Mortality Due to Drug-Resistant Infections

The latest research highlights a significant public health crisis, with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) leading to millions of child deaths worldwide. The study emphasizes the urgent need for effective antimicrobial stewardship and enhanced health measures to combat rising infections.

More than three million children globally are estimated to have died in 2022 from infections resistant to antibiotics, as reported by two prominent child health experts. The findings reveal alarming risks particularly faced by children in Africa and South East Asia. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a growing threat globally as infections adapt to drugs intended to treat them, highlighting a major public health concern.

The study, employing data from organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank, found stark evidence that AMR is increasingly affecting children. In just three years, infections classified as drug-resistant in children have increased tenfold, a situation exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on healthcare.

Antibiotics play a vital role in managing bacterial infections across various medical scenarios, from minor skin issues to life-threatening pneumonia. However, they do not work against viral infections like the flu or COVID-19. Overuse and misuse of antibiotics have contributed to bacterial resistance, while the development of new antibiotics has slowed significantly, leading to limited alternatives for severe infections.

Dr. Yanhong Jessika Hu and Professor Herb Harwell, the report's lead authors, noted significant increases in the use of antibiotics designed for serious infections. From 2019 to 2021, "watch antibiotics" - those at high risk for resistance - saw usage spike by 160% in South East Asia and 126% in Africa. Similarly, "reserve antibiotics," reserved for multidrug-resistant cases, increased by 45% and 125% in these regions, respectively.

The researchers emphasize an urgent need to address the escalating issue of AMR, warning that if resistance continues to develop, effective treatment options may become scarce. Presenting findings at the Congress of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in Vienna, Professor Harwell called for immediate attention to AMR's disproportionate effect on children.

He acknowledged the complexity of solving the AMR crisis, which spans multiple facets of healthcare and daily life. Strategies to effectively manage antibiotic use and promote better hygiene, immunization, and overall health measures are crucial to mitigating the risks of resistant infections.

Dr. Lindsey Edwards from King's College London echoed the urgency of the findings, describing them as a sobering alarm for global health authorities. She warned that failure to act decisively against AMR could reverse significant advancements in child health, particularly in regions already facing numerous challenges.