Significant Discrepancies in Antibiotic Use for Newborns in Sweden Raise Health Concerns
A study reveals alarming regional disparities in antibiotic use for newborns in Sweden, raising health risks.
Key Points
- • Some regions treat newborns with antibiotics up to five times more than others.
- • There is no decrease in sepsis or infant mortality rates in high-antibiotic areas.
- • The study analyzes data from over one million newborns from 2012 to 2020.
- • Researchers call for improved antibiotic stewardship programs.
A recent study published in the *Archives of Disease in Childhood* has uncovered alarming regional discrepancies in antibiotic use among newborns in Sweden. The research highlights that in some regions, hospitals treat up to 4.3% of newborns with antibiotics during their first week of life, whereas others administer these drugs to only 0.9% of newborns. Despite the higher rates of antibiotic treatment, no corresponding decrease has been observed in the incidence of sepsis or infant mortality, prompting serious questions about the necessity and implications of such overuse.
The study analyzed comprehensive data from over one million newborns born between 2012 and 2020. Researchers found that the goal in Western countries is to limit antibiotic treatment to under 1%, achieving low sepsis rates without compromising newborn health. For instance, areas in Eastern Sweden, which reported lower usage of antibiotics, also experienced the lowest rates of both sepsis and infant mortality. This suggests that regions with higher antibiotic prescriptions are not yielding better health outcomes, which contradicts conventional medical expectations.
Johan Gyllensvärd, a pediatrician involved in the study, expressed the need for greater awareness regarding potential antibiotic overuse and stressed the importance of distinguishing between infected and uninfected newborns. The study's findings indicate that varied cultural practices and hospital traditions may contribute significantly to these discrepancies in antibiotic prescribing across Swedish regions.
Additionally, the overuse of antibiotics poses risks of developing antibiotic-resistant bacteria and disrupting the gut flora in newborns, which can lead to long-term health issues. Researchers advocate for the implementation of systematic comparisons and robust antibiotic stewardship programs to mitigate unnecessary antibiotic use, safeguard newborn health, and enhance overall healthcare efficacy in Sweden.