Impact of antimicrobial resistance on infections in children in Africa.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Antimicrobial resistance is an escalating public health threat in Africa, and an awareness of the devastating impact on children is growing. This review highlights the prevalence and patterns of antimicrobial resistance among children in Africa, focusing on pathogens responsible for bloodstream infections, community-acquired pneumonia, bacterial meningitis, neonatal infections, diarrhea and malaria. Current strategies to tackle antimicrobial resistance in pediatric populations are discussed.

Recent findings: Bloodstream infections significantly contribute to child mortality, with high resistance observed in pathogens like Salmonella spp., Klebsiella spp., Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. Additionally, rising resistance in pathogens causing community-acquired pneumonia, meningitis and bacterial diarrhea challenges the effectiveness of WHO-recommended therapies. Antibiotics used to treat neonatal infections, such as ampicillin, gentamicin and cefotaxime, are threatened by high resistance in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp, contributing to adverse neonatal outcomes. PfKelch 13 mutations linked to artemisinin resistance in parts of Africa raise public health concerns, as malaria remains a major cause of illness and death.

Summary: Stronger collaborative efforts are needed to enhance surveillance, improve diagnostic capabilities and update treatment protocols based on local pathogen sensitivities. More research is required on pediatric antimicrobial resistance in Africa.