Global Study Shows Rising Antibiotic Resistance in Children Threatening Last‑Line Drugs
A new pediatric monitoring platform links two decades of lab data to forecasts that signal higher resistance and push for child‑focused surveillance and treatment changes.
Overview
- The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute‑led study, published Monday, analysed more than 106,000 pediatric infection samples from 82 countries and found antibiotic resistance rose in every region between 2004 and 2022.
- The increase is driven mainly by Gram‑negative bacteria, especially Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella, with sharp rises recorded in Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe and the Western Pacific.
- The study’s new AMR in Kids website lets clinicians and policymakers view current resistance by country, pathogen and drug class and provides modelled forecasts of trends through 2035.
- Forecasts show steep future losses of last‑line drugs, including projected carbapenem resistance reaching about 82% for A. baumannii and 35% for Klebsiella by 2035, while resistance to WHO 'Watch' and 'Reserve' antibiotics climbs fastest.
- Authors call for immediate action on child‑specific surveillance, targeted stewardship, access to effective antibiotics and development of pediatric formulations and dosing guidance to protect babies and critically ill children who face the greatest risk.