Contributed by: Siddarth David & Dr. Tamhankar
A study published in the British
Journal of Medicine (BMJ) showed that antibiotic resistance among children is
rising. A team of UK researchers from University of Bristol and Imperial
College London set out to review studies investigating the prevalence of antibiotic
resistance in urinary tract infections caused by E. Coli, responsible for
over 80% of all urinary tract infections (UTI) in children.
The results show a high prevalence
of resistance to some of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics for UTI in
children. The study also found an association between previous exposure to
antibiotics and subsequent resistance in the same child. The researchers also
reviewed global studies on the topic and concluded that it was global
phenomenon. If current trends persist, expert warn, it could lead to a
serious situation in which relatively cheap and easy-to-administer oral
antibiotics will no longer be of practical benefit to young UTI patients.
This calls for a stronger
approach to tackle the challenge of antibiotic resistance through stronger
policies and regulations from the manufacturing to the prescribing to the
consumption.
