Regional Variations in Antibiotic Treatment for Newborns in Sweden Raise Concerns

A recent study reveals notable differences in antibiotic use for newborns suspected of sepsis across various regions in Sweden, raising serious public health concerns over antibiotic overprescribing. Conducted by researchers at the University of Gothenburg, the analysis encompassed data from over one million newborns born between 2012 and 2020, focusing on those born at 34 weeks gestation or later.

Findings indicate striking disparities in antibiotic treatment rates, with Western Sweden reporting the highest usage at 3.0%, while Eastern Sweden demonstrated a significantly lower rate of only 1.3%. Despite low sepsis occurrence—under 1 per mille in all regions—high antibiotic usage suggests that many infants may be receiving unnecessary treatment. Variability in prescribing practices was noted at the hospital level, with antibiotic use ranging from as low as 0.9% to as high as 4.3% across facilities.

Johan Gyllensvärd, lead researcher on the study, highlighted that the differences in prescription practices may stem from local healthcare cultures and traditions. He expressed the importance of prompt sepsis treatment, yet underlined the necessity of heightened awareness surrounding antibiotic overprescribing and its link to antibiotic resistance. Additionally, Gyllensvärd advocates for better differentiation between infected and non-infected newborns to reduce unnecessary antibiotic administration. The study calls for a collective effort to share successful strategies for maintaining low antibiotic treatment rates while ensuring the safety of newborns.