31 October 2023

A review and analysis of data from previously published studies found high levels of resistance to the antibiotics commonly used for empiric treatment of sepsis and meningitis in babies and children in the Asia-Pacific region, researchers reported today in The Lancet Regional Health–Southeast Asia.

Applying a modeling tool to antibiotic susceptibility data from 86 studies, the researchers estimated that many of the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) recommended first- and second-line antibiotics for neonatal and pediatric sepsis and meningitis in 11 countries in Southeast Asia and the Pacific were less than 50% effective against the pathogens that most commonly cause these infections. Some were less than 30% effective.

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