A recent study by two prominent child health experts estimates that over three million children globally lost their lives in 2022 due to antibiotic-resistant infections. The highest risk was observed among children living in Africa and South East Asia.
The new research drew upon on data from organisations like the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Bank and sheds light on how severely children are being affected by this growing problem.
According to experts, this represents more than a tenfold increase in child-related AMR cases over just three years. The situation may have been exacerbated by disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The authors also express concern over a dramatic rise in the use of powerful antibiotics that are typically reserved for serious cases.
From 2019 to 2021, the use of “watch antibiotics”— which carry a high potential for resistance — grew by 160% in South East Asia and by 126% in Africa. During the same time frame, “reserve antibiotics,” considered last-resort options, saw a 45% increase in use in South East Asia and a 125% rise in Africa.
Research such as this highlights the extent to which AMR is affecting populations worldwide – a problem which will only worsen. Coordinated global action is the only solution to this issue.
AMR is a global issue, and the National Action Plan sets an objective for the UK to be “a good global partner”. BIVDA continues to advocating for further action by the UK government to use diagnostics, particularly point-of-care tests, to reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions to slow the progress of AMR.
