A Critical Assessment of Time-to-Antibiotics Recommendations in Pediatric Sepsis

J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2024 Nov 27;13(11):608-615. doi: 10.1093/jpids/piae100.

Abstract

The Pediatric Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines recommend delivery of antibiotics within 1 hour for children with septic shock and, for those without shock but with sepsis-related organ dysfunction, as soon as feasible within 3 hours. In this review, we summarize the available adult and pediatric literature supporting these recommendations. We also explore the implications of implementing time-to-antibiotic goals at the point of antibiotic initiation in clinical practice, as well as the potential downstream impacts of these goals on antibiotic de-escalation.

Keywords: antibiotic stewardship; antibiotic timing; sepsis; septic shock.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic*
  • Sepsis* / drug therapy
  • Shock, Septic* / drug therapy
  • Time-to-Treatment

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents