Study Warns of Rising Drug-Resistant Infections Among Newborns  

A study by Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza, Tanzania, raises concerns about neonatal sepsis caused by bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics, threatening effective treatment for newborns with severe infections.  

Between January 2023 and May 2024, researchers examined 327 newborns suspected of bloodstream infections, confirming infections in 53. Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 73.5 per cent of confirmed cases. Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter species were the leading causes. A review of 12 hospital-based studies in Tanzania found a pooled prevalence of 33 per cent for microbiologically confirmed neonatal sepsis and a case-fatality rate of 16 per cent.  

The findings revealed substantial resistance to commonly used antibiotics, including ampicillin, gentamicin, cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones. However, carbapenems remained largely effective against the Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates studied. Researchers also developed a diagnostic algorithm using birth weight, C-reactive protein levels and neutrophil counts, but its low sensitivity means it could miss infections and requires further validation. The study calls for stronger laboratory diagnosis, improved infection prevention and responsible antibiotic prescribing to protect newborns and preserve the effectiveness of existing treatments.