Antibiotics increasingly ineffective in treating child infections

New scientific research warns that the overuse of antibiotics in children is causing bacteria to become resistant to drugs, particularly in urinary tract infections caused by E coli. This means children are becoming powerless to fight off common infections, as the antibiotics they take are unable to kill the bacteria involved. Experts are concerned by these latest findings and have urged doctors to remember that "antibiotics are not ordinary medicines and must be used prudently." This latest research follows our report last month warning of an increase in drug resistance; scientists have warned that bacteria becoming completely resistant to treatment could plunge medicine back into the dark ages.

Children are becoming more susceptible to antibiotic resistance. A new study from Bristol University and Imperial College London researchers suggest that common antibiotics may become useless in treating common childhood infections.

The UK researchers analyzed studies on antibiotic resistance particularly in urinary tract infections (UTI) caused by the E. coli bacteria. They also looked at how exposure to common antibiotics like ampicillin (amoxicillin), co-trimoxazole and trimethoprim can affect the resistance of the children.

They found out that half of pediatric UTI in western nations were resistance to ampicillin, a third was co-trimoxazole resistant and more than 20 percent were resistant to trimethoprim. Additionally, children were more resistant up to six months after antibiotic intake, Telegraph reports. This suggests that routine use of antibiotics in children could contribute to their antibacterial resistance that could develop in their adulthood later in life.

"Prevalence of resistance to commonly prescribed antibiotics in primary care in children with urinary tract infections caused by E. coli is high, particularly in countries outside the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)," the researchers noted in their study published in The BMJ. "Where one possible explanation is the availability of antibiotics over the counter."

The Guardian reports that the E. coli bacteria causes 80 percent of UTI cases all over the world. It is three times more common in boys than in girls, where they could have UTI when they turn 16. The study authors add that due to antibiotic resistance, some commonly prescribed antibiotics used to treat UTI would become ineffective.

In an accompanying editorial, Professor Grant Russell of Australia's Monash University wrote that study suggests that new measures should be taken when it comes to managing childhood UTI. The findings suggest that over prescribing antibiotics to children is contributing to the antibiotic resistance trending in people around the world.