Antimicrobial stewardship in NICUs of low- and lower-middle-income countries – A narrative review

Key Points

• The review aims to explore strategies for reducing empiric antibiotic use in neonatal intensive care units in low- and lower-middle-income countries.
• Examined 19 reports focusing on antibiotic use in NICUs
• Assessed impacts on mortality, sepsis recurrence, and readmission rates
• Highlighted antimicrobial stewardship initiatives in LMICs
• Reduced antibiotic use did not lead to increased mortality rates
• No significant rise in sepsis recurrence or necrotizing enterocolitis observed
• Readmissions remained unchanged despite reduced antibiotic usage