Antibiotic use and misuse in the neonatal intensive care unit

Clin Perinatol. 2012 Mar;39(1):61-8. doi: 10.1016/j.clp.2011.12.003. Epub 2011 Dec 29.

Abstract

Neonatal sepsis causes significant morbidity and mortality, especially in preterm infants. Clinicians are compelled to treat with empiric antibiotics at the first signs of suspected sepsis. Broad-spectrum antibiotics and prolonged treatment with empiric antibiotics are associated with adverse outcomes. Most common neonatal pathogens are susceptible to narrow-spectrum antibiotics. The choice of antibiotic and duration of empiric treatment are strongly associated with center-based risk factors. Clinicians should treat with short courses of narrow-spectrum antibiotics whenever possible, choosing the antibiotics and treatment duration to balance the risks of potentially untreated sepsis against the adverse effects of treatment in infants with sterile cultures.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial
  • Humans
  • Infant, Low Birth Weight
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Newborn, Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Infant, Premature
  • Infant, Premature, Diseases / drug therapy
  • Intensive Care Units, Neonatal
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Risk Factors
  • Sepsis / drug therapy*
  • Sepsis / microbiology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents