Antibiotic Stewardship in Premature Infants: A Systematic Review

Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs in Neonates: A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Neonatal sepsis is a significant contributor to mortality and morbidity; however, the uncontrolled use of antimicrobials is associated with significant adverse effects. Our objective with this article is to review the components of neonatal antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP) and their effects on clinical outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and antimicrobial resistance.

METHODS

We selected randomized and nonrandomized trials and observational and quality improvement studies evaluating the impact of ASP with a cutoff date of May 22, 2023. The data sources for these studies included PubMed, Medline, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science, and SCOPUS. Details of the ASP components and clinical outcomes were extracted into a predefined form.

RESULTS

Of the 4048 studies retrieved, 70 studies (44 cohort and 26 observational studies) of >350 000 neonates met the inclusion criteria. Moderate-certainty evidence reveals a significant reduction in antimicrobial initiation in NICU (pooled risk difference [RD] 19%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 14% to 24%; 21 studies, 27 075 infants) and combined NICU and postnatal ward settings (pooled RD 8%; 95% CI 6% to 10%; 12 studies, 358 317 infants), duration of antimicrobial agents therapy (pooled RD 20%; 95% CI 10% to 30%; 9 studies, 303 604 infants), length of therapy (pooled RD 1.82 days; 95% CI 1.09 to 2.56 days; 10 studies, 157 553 infants), and use of antimicrobial agents >5 days (pooled RD 9%; 95% CI 3% to 15%; 5 studies, 9412 infants). Low-certainty evidence reveals a reduction in economic burden and drug resistance, favorable sustainability metrices, without an increase in sepsis-related mortality or the reinitiation of antimicrobial agents. Studies had heterogeneity with significant variations in ASP interventions, population settings, and outcome definitions.

CONCLUSIONS

Moderate- to low-certainty evidence reveals that neonatal ASP interventions are associated with reduction in the initiation and duration of antimicrobial use, without an increase in adverse events.

Evaluation of Hospital Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs: Implementation, Process, Impact, and Outcomes, Review of Systematic Reviews

Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASP) were introduced in healthcare as a public health priority to promote appropriate prescribing of antimicrobials, to reduce adverse events related to antimicrobials, as well as to control the escalating challenges of antimicrobial resistance. To deliver aimed outcome objectives, ASPs involve multiple connected implementation process measures. A systematic review was conducted to evaluate both concepts of ASPs. Guided by PRISMA frames, published systematic reviews (SR) focusing on ASPs restricted to secondary and tertiary healthcare were evaluated over the past 10 years involving all age groups. Out of 265 identified SR studies, 63 met the inclusion criteria. The majority were conducted in Europe and North America, with limited studies from other regions. In the reviewed studies, all age groups were examined, although they were conducted mainly on adults when compared to children and infants. Both process and outcomes measures of ASPs were examined equally and simultaneously through 25 different concepts, dominated by efficacy, antimicrobial resistance, and economic impact, while information technology as well as role of pharmacy and behavioral factors were equally examined. The main broad conclusions from the review were that, across the globe, ASPs demonstrated effectiveness, proved efficacy, and confirmed efficiency, while focused evaluation advocated that developed countries should target medium- and small-sized hospitals while developing countries should continue rolling ASPs across healthcare facilities. Additionally, the future of ASPs should focus on embracing evolving information technology to bridge the gaps in knowledge, skills, and attitude, as well as to enhance appropriate decision making.

Risk factors of multidrug-resistant organisms neonatal sepsis in Surabaya tertiary referral hospital: a single-center study

BACKGROUND

Bacterial organisms causing neonatal sepsis have developed increased resistance to commonly used antibiotics. Antimicrobial resistance is a major global health problem. The spread of Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MDROs) is associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates. This study aimed to determine the risk factors for developing MDRO neonatal sepsis in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), dr. Ramelan Navy Central Hospital, in 2020-2022.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was performed on 113 eligible neonates. Patients whose blood cultures were positive for bacterial growth and diagnosed with sepsis were selected as the study sample. Univariate and multivariate analysis with multiple logistic regression were performed to find the associated risk factors for developing multidrug-resistant organism neonatal sepsis. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

Multidrug-resistant organisms were the predominant aetiology of neonatal sepsis (91/113, 80.5%). The significant risk factors for developing MDRO neonatal sepsis were lower birth weight (OR: 1.607, 95% CI: 1.003 - 2.576, p-value: 0.049), history of premature rupture of the membrane (ProM) ≥ 18 (OR: 3.333, 95% CI: 2.047 - 5.428, p-value < 0.001), meconium-stained amniotic fluid (OR: 2.37, 95% CI: 1.512 - 3.717, p-value < 0.001), longer hospital stays (OR: 5.067, 95% CI: 2.912 - 8.815, p-value < 0.001), lower Apgar scores (OR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.442 - 3.512, p-value < 0.001), and the use of respiratory support devices, such as invasive ventilation (OR: 2.687, 95% CI: 1.514 - 4.771, p-value < 0.001), and non-invasive ventilation (OR: 2, 95% CI: 1.097 - 3.645, p-value: 0.024).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study determined various risk factors for multidrug-resistance organism neonatal sepsis and underscored the need to improve infection control practices to reduce the existing burden of drug-resistant sepsis. Low-birth-weight, a maternal history of premature rupture of the membrane lasting more than 18 hours, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, longer hospital stays, a low Apgar score, and the use of ventilators were the risk factors for developing drug-resistant neonatal sepsis.

Association between Antenatal Antibiotic Exposure and Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: A Systematic Review and Bayesian Model-Averaged Meta-Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Antenatal antibiotic exposure has been suggested as a risk factor for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). We aimed to summarize the evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies on this potential association.

METHODS

PubMed/Medline and Embase databases were searched. BPD was classified as BPD28 (supplemental oxygen during 28 days or at postnatal day 28), BPD36 (supplemental oxygen at 36 weeks postmenstrual age), BPD36 or death, and BPD-associated pulmonary hypertension (BPD-PH). Bayesian model-averaged (BMA) meta-analysis was used to calculate Bayes factors (BFs). The BF10 is the ratio of the probability of the data under the alternative hypothesis (H1) over the probability of the data under the null hypothesis (H0).

RESULTS

We included 6 RCTs and 27 observational studies (126,614 infants). Regarding BPD28, BMA showed that the evidence in favor of H0 (lack of association with antenatal antibiotics) was weak for the RCTS (BF10 = 0.506, 6 studies) and moderate for the observational studies (BF10 = 0.286, 10 studies). Regarding BPD36, the evidence in favor of H0 was moderate for the RCTs (BF10 = 0.127, 2 studies) and weak for the observational studies (BF10 = 0.895, 14 studies). Evidence in favor of H0 was also weak for the associations with BPD36 or death (BF10 = 0.429, 2 studies) and BPD-PH (BF10 = 0.384, 2 studies). None of the meta-analyses showed evidence in favor of H1.

CONCLUSIONS

The currently available evidence suggests a lack of association between antenatal antibiotics and BPD. However, our results should not be interpreted as an argument for widespread use of antibiotics in the setting of preterm delivery.

Association of Neonatal Antibiotic Exposure with Long-Term Growth Trajectory Faltering in Preterm-Birth Children

INTRODUCTION

Preterm neonates often receive a variety of duration of antibiotic exposure during admission. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether neonatal antibiotic exposure is relevant with longitudinal growth problems in preterm-birth children.

METHODS

This prospective study enrolled 481 infants who were born <32 weeks of gestation, discharged, and longitudinally followed from corrected age (CA) 6-60 months. After excluding 153 infants with blood culture-confirmed bacteremia, necrotizing enterocolitis, severe cerebral palsy, intestinal ostomy, and congenital anomaly, 328 infants were included for analysis. Covariates included perinatal demographics, neonatal morbidities, extrauterine growth restriction, and antibiotic exposure accumulated by term equivalent age. The primary outcome was the anthropometric trajectories in z-score of bodyweight (zBW), body height (zBH), and body mass index (zBMI) from CA 6-60 months.

RESULTS

Antibiotic exposure duration was significantly negatively associated with zBW and zBH at CA 6, 12, and 60 months, and zBMI at CA 60 months. Multivariate generalized estimating equation analyses showed antibiotic exposure duration had significantly faltering z-score increment from CA 6 to 60 months in zBW and zBH (adjusted mean [95% CI]; ΔzBW: -0.021 [-0.041 to -0.001], p = 0.042; ΔzBH: -0.019 [-0.035 to -0.002], p = 0.027) after adjustment. Children with neonatal antibiotic exposure duration >15 days were significantly lower in the mean anthropometric zBW, zBH, and zBMI at CA 6, 12, 24, and 60 months compared with children with neonatal antibiotic exposure ≤15 days (all p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Growth increments were negatively associated with antibiotic exposure duration in preterm neonates implicating that antibiotic stewardship and growth follow-up for preterm neonates are thus warranted.

Changes in perceptions of antibiotic stewardship among neonatal intensive care unit providers over the course of a learning collaborative: a prospective, multisite, mixed-methods evaluation

OBJECTIVE

To assess clinician perceptions towards the value and implementation of antibiotic stewardship (AS) in neonatal intensive care units (NICU).

STUDY DESIGN

We performed a mixed-methods study of AS perceptions (prescribing appropriateness, importance, activity, capacity) using surveys and interviews in 30 California NICUs before and after a multicenter collaborative (Optimizing Antibiotic Use in California NICUs [OASCN]).

RESULTS

Pre-OASCN, 24% of respondents felt there was "a lot of" or "some" inappropriate prescribing, often driven by fear of a bad outcome or reluctance to change existing practice. Clinicians reported statistically significant increases in AS importance (71 v 79%), perceived AS activity (67 v 87%), and more openness to change after OASCN (59 v 70%). We identified other concerns that lessen AS effort.

CONCLUSION

OASCN increased perceived AS activity and openness to change in AS practices among NICU prescribers. Greater attention to subjective concerns should augment AS improvement.

Procalcitonin-Based Antibiotic Use for Neonatal Early-Onset Bacterial Infections: Pre- and Post-Intervention Clinical Study

We previously reported the 95th percentile cutoff value of the serum procalcitonin (PCT) reference curve for diagnosing early-onset bacterial infection. We aimed to verify the effectivity of these novel diagnostic criteria by comparing antibiotic use and incidence of early-onset bacterial infection between pre- and post-introduction periods. We included newborns admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit who underwent blood tests within 72 h after birth between 2018 and 2022. The neonates were divided into the pre-intervention (admitted before the introduction, n = 737) or post-intervention (admitted after the introduction, n = 686) group. The days of antibiotics therapy (DOT) per 1000 patient days up to 6 days after birth, percentage of antibiotic use, and incidence of early-onset bacterial infection were compared between the groups. The post-intervention group had significantly lower DOT per 1000 patient days (82.0 days vs. 211.3 days, p < 0.01) and percentage of newborns receiving antibiotics compared with the pre-intervention group (79 (12%) vs. 280 (38%), respectively, p < 0.01). The incidence of early-onset bacterial infections did not differ between the groups (2% each, p = 0.99). In conclusion, our diagnostic criteria using the 95th percentile cutoff value of the serum PCT reference curve for early-onset bacterial infection were proven safe and effective, promoting appropriate use of antibiotics.

Fighting Antimicrobial Resistance in Neonatal Intensive Care Units: Rational Use of Antibiotics in Neonatal Sepsis

Antibiotics are the most frequently prescribed drugs in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) due to the severity of complications accompanying neonatal sepsis. However, antimicrobial drugs are often used inappropriately due to the difficulties in diagnosing sepsis in the neonatal population. The reckless use of antibiotics leads to the development of resistant strains, rendering multidrug-resistant pathogens a serious problem in NICUs and a global threat to public health. The aim of this narrative review is to provide a brief overview of neonatal sepsis and an update on the data regarding indications for antimicrobial therapy initiation, current guidance in the empirical antimicrobial selection and duration of therapy, and indications for early discontinuation.

European Consensus Guidelines on the Management of Respiratory Distress Syndrome: 2022 Update

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) care pathways evolve slowly as new evidence emerges. We report the sixth version of "European Guidelines for the Management of RDS" by a panel of experienced European neonatologists and an expert perinatal obstetrician based on available literature up to end of 2022. Optimising outcome for babies with RDS includes prediction of risk of preterm delivery, appropriate maternal transfer to a perinatal centre, and appropriate and timely use of antenatal steroids. Evidence-based lung-protective management includes initiation of non-invasive respiratory support from birth, judicious use of oxygen, early surfactant administration, caffeine therapy, and avoidance of intubation and mechanical ventilation where possible. Methods of ongoing non-invasive respiratory support have been further refined and may help reduce chronic lung disease. As technology for delivering mechanical ventilation improves, the risk of causing lung injury should decrease, although minimising time spent on mechanical ventilation by targeted use of postnatal corticosteroids remains essential. The general care of infants with RDS is also reviewed, including emphasis on appropriate cardiovascular support and judicious use of antibiotics as being important determinants of best outcome. We would like to dedicate this guideline to the memory of Professor Henry Halliday who died on November 12, 2022.These updated guidelines contain evidence from recent Cochrane reviews and medical literature since 2019. Strength of evidence supporting recommendations has been evaluated using the GRADE system. There are changes to some of the previous recommendations as well as some changes to the strength of evidence supporting recommendations that have not changed. This guideline has been endorsed by the European Society for Paediatric Research (ESPR) and the Union of European Neonatal and Perinatal Societies (UENPS).

Effectiveness of a neonatal intensive care unit-specific antimicrobial stewardship program: A ten-year review

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the change in consumption of specific antibiotics in a neonatal intensive care unit after the implementation of an antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study between January 1, 2010, and December 31,2019.

SETTING

The neonatal intensive care unit at British Columbia Women's Hospital (Vancouver Canada), a tertiary-care center.

PATIENTS

Admitted neonates prescribed antibiotics.

METHODS

We implemented an ASP with an early implementation phase starting in January 2014 (period 2) and a later phase starting in January 2017 (period 3). Patient demographics were collected, including birth weight, gestational age, history of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and surgical operations from existing databases. Interrupted time-series analysis was used, and comparison of antibiotic days of therapy (DOT) averages were conducted across the preimplementation period (period 1), period 2, and period 3 regarding total patients and subgroups.

RESULTS

We identified 4,512 infants. There was a significant decrease in DOT from 472 (95% confidence interval [CI], 431-517) in period 1 to 405 (95% CI, 367-446) in period 2 to 313 (95% CI, 280-350) in period 3. We detected a significant decrease in the use of ampicillin, aminoglycosides, cloxacillin, and linezolid but not in vancomycin or cefotaxime. Subgroup analyses of infants <1,500 g and those without NEC or surgery showed decreases in the use of cloxacillin, aminoglycosides, and linezolid.

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of an ASP was associated with a significant decrease in the overall DOT and use of certain antibiotics. This study presents important targets for ongoing ASP work.

[Telemedical Support of Feto-Neonatal Care in One Region - Part I: Demand Analysis Using the Example of East Saxony]

Excellence in feto-neonatal care forms the basis for health in adulthood and requires a collaboration of stakeholders in the health care system. As in other regions, demographic changes such as rural depopulation pose a risk to feto-neonatal care in Eastern Saxony. Areas in need of regional, perinatal collaboration have been identified: (I) multi-professional counselling of families with a suspected fetal disease, (II) immediately available expertise of a neonatologist during neonatal resuscitation, (III) evidence-based neonatal antibiotic therapy, (IV) backtransfer of extremely preterm infants or sick neonates, and (V) adequate psychosocial support of families with extremely preterm infants or sick neonates. Telemedicine enables regional partners to communicate efficiently and gives an audiovisual impression of the patient. The Saxony Center for feto/neonatal Health (SCFNH) collaborates with regional partners to establish a feto-neonatal telemedicine network "Sichere Geburt". The network will be scientifically evaluated and might be of help as a model for other regions with structural challenges.

The impact of Antimicrobial Stewardship Programmes in paediatric emergency departments and primary care: a systematic review

Background

Antibiotics remain the most prescribed medicine in children worldwide, but half of the prescriptions are unnecessary or inappropriate, leading to an increase in antibiotic resistance. This study aims to systemically review the effects of different Antimicrobial Stewardship Programmes (ASPs) on reducing the rates of both antibiotic prescriptions and changes in antimicrobial resistance, and on the economic impact in paediatric emergency departments (PED) and primary care settings.

Materials and methods

Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched, combining Medical Subject Heading and free-text terms for 'children' and 'antimicrobial' and 'stewardship'. The search strategy involved restrictions on dates (from 1 January 2007 to 30 December 2020) but not on language. Randomized controlled trials, controlled and non-controlled before and after studies, controlled and non-controlled interrupted time series, and cohort studies were included for review. The review protocol was registered at the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews: Registration Number CRD42021270630.

Results

Of the 47,158 articles that remained after removing duplicates, 59 were eligible for inclusion. Most of the studies were published after 2015 (37/59, 62.7%) and in high-income countries (51/59, 86.4%). Almost half of the studies described the implementation of an ASP in the primary care setting (28/59, 47.5%), while 15 manuscripts described the implementation of ASPs in EDs (15/59, 25.4%). More than half of the studies (43/59, 72.9%) described the implementation of multiple interventions, whereas few studies considered the implementation of a single intervention. Antibiotic prescriptions and compliance with guidelines were the most frequent outcomes (47/59, 79.7% and 20/59, 33.9%, respectively). Most of the articles reported an improvement in these outcomes after implementing an ASP. Meanwhile, only very few studies focused on health care costs (6/59, 10.2%) and antimicrobial resistance (3/59 5.1%).

Conclusion

The implementation of ASPs has been proven to be feasible and valuable, even in challenging settings such as Emergency Departments and Primary care.

Successful establishment and five-year sustainability of a neonatal-specific antimicrobial stewardship program in a low middle-income country

Introduction: Antibiotic use varies substantially among neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) without any appreciable impact on outcomes. An increased use of antimicrobials has been reported in low-middle income countries. This raises the concern for potential overuse of antibiotics in a fragile patient population, thus increasing the rates of multidrug resistant organisms and affecting the developing microbiome. The presence of a neonatal-specific antimicrobial stewardship program can aid with the judicious use of antibiotics in the neonatal population and thus decrease the overuse of such medications. Methods: In this quality improvement project, we established and implemented a neonatal-specific antimicrobial stewardship program with the aim of reducing antimicrobial use in the neonatal intensive care units within a year of starting. Several interventions using a multidisciplinary approach included implementing standard algorithms, direct audit and feedback, and automated hard stops. Results: These series of interventions led to a 35% decrease in antimicrobial usage in the first 3 months and further decrease was seen with a median of 63% decline for a total of 5 years after project implementation. The use of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics, ampicillin and gentamicin, decreased by 63% and 79%, respectively. There was no evidence that this change in practice affected or jeopardized patient outcomes. Additionally, it showed sustainability and resilience despite the many challenges such as COVID-19 pandemic, political and financial unrest, and healthcare sector collapse. Discussion: This model-based and multidisciplinary low-cost approach can lead to marked improvement affecting neonatal outcomes and can be replicated in other similar centers.

Incidence and aetiology of infant Gram-negative bacteraemia and meningitis: systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

One in six infant deaths worldwide are caused by invasive bacterial infections, of which a substantial but unquantified proportion are caused by Gram-negative bacteria.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of studies published from 31 May 2010 to 1 June 2020 indexed in MEDLINE, Embase and Global Health databases. We performed meta-analyses of the incidence of Gram-negative bacteraemia and of individual Gram-negative species as proportions of all infant bacteraemia, stratified by onset (early vs late) and country income (low/middle vs high).

RESULTS

152 studies from 54 countries were included, 60 in high-income countries (HIC) and 92 in low-income/middle-income countries (LMIC). Gram-negatives represented a higher proportion (53%, 95% CI 49% to 57%) of all infant bacteraemia in LMIC compared with HIC (28%, 95% CI 25% to 32%). Incidence of infant Gram-negative bacteraemia was 2.01 (95% CI 1.15 to 3.51) per 1000 live births; it was five times higher in LMIC (4.35, 95% CI 2.94 to 6.43) compared with HIC (0.73, 95% CI 0.39 to 7.5). In HIC, Escherichia coli was the leading Gram-negative pathogen, representing 19.2% (95% CI 15.6% to 23.4%) of early and 7.3% (95% CI 5.3% to 10.1%) of all late-onset bacteraemia; Klebsiella spp were the next most common cause (5.3%) of late-onset bacteraemia. In LMIC, Klebsiella spp caused 16.4% (95% CI 11.5% to 22.7%) of early and 15.0% (95% CI 10.1% to 21.8%) of late-onset bacteraemia, followed by E. coli (early-onset 7.50%, 95% CI 4.98% to 11.1%; late-onset 6.53%, 95% CI 4.50% to 9.39%) and Pseudomonas spp (early-onset 3.93%, 95% CI 2.04% to 7.44%; late-onset 2.81%, 95% CI 1.99% to 3.95%).

CONCLUSION

E. coli, Klebsiella and Pseudomonas spp cause 20%-28% of early-onset infant bacteraemia and 14% cases of infant meningitis worldwide. Implementation of preventive measures could reduce the high incidence of Gram-negative bacteraemia in LMIC.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020191618.

Drug utilisation in neonatal units in England and Wales: a national cohort study

PURPOSE

To describe drug utilisation patterns in neonatal units.

METHODS

Retrospective observational cohort study using data held in the National Neonatal Research Database (NNRD) for neonatal units in England and Wales including infants born at 23 to 44 weeks' gestational age (GA) from 01 January 2010 to 31 December 2017.

RESULTS

The cohort included 17,501 (3%) extremely preterm infants; 40,607 (7%) very preterm infants; 193,536 (31%) moderate-to-late preterm infants; and 371,606 (59%) term infants. The number of unique drugs received by an infant (median (IQR)) increased with decreasing GA: 17 (11-24) in extremely preterm, 7 (5-11) in very preterm, 3 (0-4) in moderate-to-late preterm, and 3 (0-3) in term infants. The two most frequently prescribed drugs were benzylpenicillin and gentamicin in all GA groups, and caffeine in extremely preterm. Other frequently used drugs among preterm infants were electrolytes, diuretics and anti-reflux medications. Among infants <32 weeks' GA, the largest increase in use was for surfactant (given on the neonatal unit), caffeine and probiotics, while domperidone and ranitidine had the largest decline.

CONCLUSION

Antibiotics, for all GAs and caffeine, among preterm infants, are the most frequently used drugs in neonatal medicine. Preterm infants are exposed to a high burden of drugs, particularly antibiotics. Changing patterns in use reflect the emergence of evidence in some areas but several non-evidence-based drugs continue to be used widely. Improvements are needed to ensure rational drug use on neonatal units.

REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03773289). Date of registration 21 Dec 2018.

Prescription of Aminoglycosides in 23 French Neonatal Intensive Care Units

Background: Aminoglycosides are the most prescribed antibiotics in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). Reducing exposure to antibiotics in the NICU is highly desirable, particularly through benchmarking methods. Methods: Description of aminoglycosides prescriptions in 23 French NICU using the same computerized system over a 4-year period (2017–2020). A benchmarking program of antibiotics prescription was associated. Results: The population included 53,818 patients. Exposition rates to gentamicin and amikacin were 31.7% (n = 17,049) and 9.1% (n = 4894), respectively. Among neonates exposed to gentamicin, 90.4% of gentamicin and 77.6% of amikacin treatments were started within the 1st week of life. Among neonates exposed to amikacin, 77.6% started amikacin within the 1st week. The average daily dose of gentamicin at first prescription increased over the study period from 3.9 in 2017 to 4.4 mg/kg/d in 2020 (p < 0.0001). Conversely, the corresponding amikacin daily doses decreased from 13.0 in 2017 to 12.3 mg/kg/d in 2020 (p = 0.001). The time interval between the first 2 doses of gentamicin was mainly distributed in 3 values during the first week of life: 49.4% at 24 h, 26.4% at 36 h, and 22.9% at 48 h. At first amikacin prescription, the time interval was distributed in 4 categories: 48% at 24 h, 4.1% at 30 h, 8.5% at 36 h, and 37.1% at 48 h. As compared to literature guidelines, the rates of overdose and underdose in gentamicin (1.5% and 2.7%) and amikacin (0.3% and 1.0%). They significantly decreased for gentamicin over the study period. In multivariate analysis, the factors significantly associated with GENT overdose were the year of admission, prematurity, length of stay, and duration of the treatment. Conclusion: This prescription strategy ensured a low rate of overdose and underdose, and some benefits of the benchmarking program is suggested.

Factors associated with antibiotic administration delay among preterm infants with late-onset bloodstream infection

Early antibiotic administration is an important modifiable factor in reducing mortality from late-onset bloodstream infections in preterm infants. In a cohort study including 142 infants with non-coagulase negative staphylococcus bloodstream infection at two tertiary neonatal intensive care units, we identified typical practice-related factors that may be targeted to prevent delays in antibiotic administration. Collection of cerebrospinal fluid or urine sample before administering antibiotics, a longer time taken to site a peripheral intravenous catheter among those without pre-existing access, and a longer time taken to administer fluid boluses were associated with a longer than median time to antibiotic administration.

Paediatric Antimicrobial Stewardship for Respiratory Infections in the Emergency Setting: A Systematic Review

Antimicrobial resistance occurs due to the propensity of microbial pathogens to develop resistance to antibiotics over time. Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) have been developed in response to this growing crisis, to limit unnecessary antibiotic prescription through initiatives such as education-based seminars, prescribing guidelines, and rapid respiratory pathogen (RRP) testing. Paediatric patients who present to the emergency setting with respiratory symptoms are a particularly high-risk population susceptible to inappropriate antibiotic prescribing behaviours and are therefore an ideal cohort for focused ASPs. The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the efficacy and safety of ASPs in this clinical context. A systematic search of PubMed, Medline, EMBASE and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews was conducted to review the current evidence. Thirteen studies were included in the review and these studies assessed a range of stewardship interventions and outcome measures. Overall, ASPs reduced the rates of antibiotic prescription, increased the prescription of narrow-spectrum antibiotics, and shortened the duration of antibiotic therapy. Multimodal interventions that were education-based and those that used RRP testing were found to be the most effective. Whilst we found strong evidence that ASPs are effective in reducing antibiotic prescribing, further studies are required to assess whether they translate to equivalent clinical outcomes.

Antibiotic stewardship in a tertiary care NICU of northern India: a quality improvement initiative

Background

The overuse of antibiotics in newborns leads to increased mortality and morbidities. Implementation of a successful antibiotic stewardship programme (ASP) is necessary to decrease inappropriate use of antibiotics and its adverse effects.

Problem

Our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a tertiary referral centre of north India, consisting of all outborn babies mostly with sepsis caused by high rate of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). So antibiotics are not only life-saving but also used excessively with a high antibiotic usage rate (AUR) of 574 per 1000 patient days.

Method

A quality improvement (QI) study was conducted using the Plan–Do–Study–Act (PDSA) approach to reduce AUR by at least 20% from January 2019 to December 2020. Various strategies were made : such as making a unit protocol, education and awareness of NICU nurses and doctors, making check points for both starting and early stoppage of antibiotics, making specific protocol to start vancomycin, and reviewing yearly antibiotic policy as per antibiogram.

Results

The total AUR, AUR (culture negative) and AUR (vancomycin) was reduced by 32%, 20% and 29%, respectively, (p<0.01). The proportion of newborns who never received antibiotics increased from 22% to 37% (p<0.045) and the proportion of culture-negative/screen-negative newborns where antibiotics were stopped within 48 hours increased from 16% to 54% (p<0.001). The compliance with the unit protocol in starting and upgrading antibiotic was 75% and 82%, respectively. In early 2020, there was a sudden upsurge in AUR due to central line-related bloodstream infection breakout. However, we were able to control it, and all the PDSA cycles were reinforced. Finally, we could reattain our goals, and also able to sustain it until next 1 year. There was no significant difference in overall necrotising enterocolitis and mortality rates.

Conclusion

In a centre such as ours, where sepsis is a leading cause of neonatal deaths, restricting antibiotic use is a huge challenge. However, we have demonstrated implementation of an efficient ASP with the help of a dedicated team and effective PDSA cycles. Also, we have emphasised the importance of sustainability in success of any QI study.

Institution of an antibiotic stewardship programme for rationalising antibiotic usage: a quality improvement project in the NICU of a public teaching hospital in rural central India

Antibiotic misuse is the most common cause of antimicrobial resistance-a globally declared emergency. This necessitates the introduction of rational antibiotic usage management policy. The paediatrics department of a public teaching hospital with around 500 neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions annually revealed 75% of NICU admission exposure to any antibiotics. The aim was to institute antibiotic stewardship programme (ASP) to optimise antibiotic usage from existing 75% to 40% in a 6-month period through a quality improvement (QI) project.A root cause analysis using fishbone diagram was performed to identify the possible reasons for the high antibiotic usage. Six Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles were conducted to implement the protocols for usage of antibiotics for well-defined indications; active laboratory engagement to decrease the turnaround time for blood culture results; a hard stop to all antibiotic orders after 72 hours; streamlining of antibiotic usage; strengthening universal aseptic practices; and confidence building of staff. The outcomes monitored were antibiotic exposure rates, average number of antibiotic days in all NICU admissions, sepsis rates and mortality.Institution of ASP had significantly reduced antibiotic exposure in NICU admissions, that is, from 75% in March to 41% in August 2018. Median (IQR) antibiotic days per infant in NICU went down from 3 to 0 (0-6). The per cent of NICU admission with culture-positive sepsis and all-cause mortality rate in NICU declined from 18% to 11.56% and 25% to 16%, respectively, over these 6 months.Thus, ASP for rationalising antibiotic usage was successfully instituted in NICU of a rural medical college in central India through QI, without any adverse effect on sepsis and mortality.

Antibiotic Use in Very Low Birth Weight Neonates After an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program

There is insufficient data regarding antimicrobial stewardship (AS) and outcomes of very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates after AS programs. This observational, retrospective study addressed AS and outcomes of VLBW neonates admitted to an Italian level-three center. Two periods were compared: (i) baseline, before AS (January 2011-December 2012) and (ii) intervention, after AS (January 2016-December 2017). Between these two periods, procedures were put in place to inform medical and nursing staff regarding AS. There were 111 and 119 VLBW neonates in the baseline (6744 live births) and in the intervention period (5902 live births), respectively. The number of infants exposed to antibiotics (70%) during the hospital stay did not change, but the total days of therapy (DOT, median 12 vs. 5) and DOT/1000 patient days (302 vs. 215) decreased in the intervention period (p < 0.01), as well as the median duration of first antibiotic treatment (144 vs. 48 h, p < 0.01). A re-analysis of single cases of culture-proven or culture-negative sepsis failed to demonstrate any association between deaths and a delay or insufficient antibiotic use in the intervention period. In conclusion, AS is feasible in preterm VLBW neonates and antibiotic use can be safely reduced.