Antibiotic resistance has killed 3 million children in a year

Murdoch Children's Research Institute in Australia and Clinton Health Access Initiative reported that children, especially in Africa and Southeast Asia, are at a higher risk of antibiotic resistance. The significant increase in the use of antibiotics for the most serious illnesses is highlighted by the authors. They emphasize that if bacteria develop resistance to these drugs, there may be no other solution available. Data from various sources such as WHO and the World Bank showed a 10-fold increase in antibiotic-resistant childhood diseases over three years. The increase in these numbers may be related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ineffectiveness of antibiotics against microbes causing infections is seen as one of the biggest dangers in health. The main reason for this is considered to be the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. On the other hand, the production of new antibiotics has also slowed down as these drugs are introduced to the market through a long and costly process. Prof. Harwell, presenting the results of his research at a science congress in Vienna today, said, 'Antibiotic resistance is a global issue. It affects everyone. With this study, we focused on how antibiotic resistance particularly affects children. We estimate that 3 million children worldwide have died.' Harwell highlighted that protecting against diseases through hygiene, clean water, and increasing immunity will also be effective against antibiotic resistance. Dr. Lindsey Edwards, commenting on the study to the BBC, said, 'These findings should be a wake-up call for global health leaders. If action is not taken decisively, the gains made in children's health over the past decades could be eroded, especially in the world's most fragile regions.'