Investigating the Duration of Empirical Antibiotic Treatment in Very Low Birth Weight Infants with Suspected Early-Onset Sepsis: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis of Contributing Factors - Summary - MDSpire
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Investigating the Duration of Empirical Antibiotic Treatment in Very Low Birth Weight Infants with Suspected Early-Onset Sepsis: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis of Contributing Factors
To determine antibiotic exposure time, measured in hours of life, in VLBW infants empirically treated for early-onset sepsis (EOS) with negative blood cultures, and to identify factors associated with longer exposure.
Key Findings:
56.3% of VLBW infants received empirical antibiotics without proven infection.
Median time from birth to antibiotic discontinuation order was 45 hours for both ampicillin and gentamicin.
Initiation of antibiotics during weekends was associated with an additional 0.46 days of therapy.
Antibiotic discontinuation occurred progressively earlier over the study period, based on a total of 161 infants analyzed.
Interpretation:
Despite improvements in timely antibiotic discontinuation, VLBW infants still experience prolonged exposure, particularly if born on weekends, highlighting the need for enhanced antibiotic stewardship to mitigate risks.
Limitations:
Retrospective design may introduce bias, potentially affecting the reliability of the findings.
Limited generalizability due to single-center study, which may not reflect broader practices.
Exclusion of infants with clinical sepsis may affect findings and their applicability.
Conclusion:
Awareness of actual antibiotic exposure times can guide optimization of antibiotic use in VLBW infants, particularly in relation to birth timing, emphasizing the need for improved clinical practices.
by Catalina Morales-Bentacourt, Maria Dolores Canales-Siguero, Marta Fernández-Gaitán, Adriana Montealegre-Pomar, Elena Bergon-Sedín, Concepción De Alba-Romero, Carmen Rosa Pallás Alonso, Maria Teresa Moral-Pumarega
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