A Prospective Cohort Study of Factors Associated with Empiric Antibiotic De-escalation in Neonates Suspected with Early Onset Sepsis (EOS).

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Prolonged empiric antibiotic use, resulting from diagnostic uncertainties, in suspected early onset sepsis (EOS) cases constitutes a significant problem. Unnecessary antibiotic use increases the risk of antibiotic resistance. Furthermore, prolonged antibiotic use increases the risk of mortality and morbidity in neonates. Proactive measures including empiric antibiotic de-escalation are crucial to overcome these problems. METHODS:This was a prospective cohort study conducted in the neonatal intensive care units of two public hospitals in Malaysia. Neonates with a gestational age greater than 34 weeks who were started on empiric antibiotics within 72 h of life were screened. The data were then stratified according to de-escalation and non-de-escalation practices, where de-escalation practice was defined as narrowing down or discontinuation of empiric antibiotic within 72 h of treatment. RESULTS:A total of 1045 neonates were screened, and 429 were included. The neonates were then divided based on de-escalation (n?=?207) and non-de-escalation (n?=?222) practices. Neonates under non-de-escalation practices showed significantly longer durations of antibiotic use compared to those under de-escalation practices (p?

SUBMITTER: Ain Ibrahim N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7222079 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature