Evaluation of antibiotic stewardship among near-term and term infants admitted to a neonatal unit.

Abstract

The evidence-based antibiotic stewardship can safely and effectively reduce antibiotic use and shorten the duration of therapy in the neonatal unit. • Overuse of antibiotics has been associated with adverse events in neonates, including necrotizing enterocolitis, multidrug-resistant organism infections, and death. • More clinical effectiveness evidence is needed to support antibiotic stewardship of neonates in China. • Using prospective audit, targeted stewardship interventions, this study shows that a 32% reduction in overall antibiotic consumption was achieved safely. • Implementation of evidence-based neonatal antibiotic stewardship, including the observation form of neonatal infections, antibiotic therapy of no more than 48h for suspected infections, and 5days for pneumonia and culture-negative sepsis, is safe and effective among newborns in a developing country.