Summary
Researchers have found that the usual drugs used to treat infections in newborns in Asia are not working against drug-resistant bacteria. They tested blood samples from sick newborns and found many infections that current treatments can't cure. The study shows a need for updated guidelines based on local data and new antibiotics.
Key Facts
- Researchers studied nearly 15,000 blood samples from hospitals in five Asian countries.
- The treatments recommended for newborn infections by the World Health Organization are not working in many cases.
- The study found that most infections were from drug-resistant bacteria, which differ in pattern from high-income countries.
- Almost 80% of the infections came from gram-negative bacteria like E. coli and Klebsiella.
- Doctors often use broad guidelines without specific lab results due to time constraints.
- Around 10% of cases involved fungal infections, which are rare in high-income countries.
- Few new antibiotics are available for newborns, and developing them takes about ten years.
- The issue of antibiotic resistance is significant beyond Southeast Asia, with implications for countries like Australia.
