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3h ago

Southeast Asia Study Finds First-Line Neonatal Sepsis Treatments Often Ineffective

A review of nearly 15,000 blood cultures found gram-negative dominance with notable fungal disease, prompting urgent, region-specific updates to care.

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Cute Little Caucasian Newborn Baby Lying in Bassinet in a Maternity Hospital. Portrait of a Tiny Playful and Energetic Child with a Name ID Tag on the Leg. Healthcare, Pregnancy and Motherhood Concept

Overview

  • The University of Sydney–led NeoSEAP analysis in The Lancet Regional Health—Western Pacific examined almost 15,000 neonatal samples from 10 hospitals across five Southeast Asian countries in 2019–2020.
  • Most bloodstream infections were caused by organisms unlikely to respond to WHO-recommended empirical regimens designed using high-income country data.
  • Gram-negative pathogens such as E. coli, Klebsiella and Acinetobacter accounted for nearly 80% of cases, with fungal infections responsible for about one in ten.
  • Study authors call for region-specific surveillance, faster diagnostics and updated guidelines, warning that few infant-approved antibiotics are in the pipeline.
  • Although Australia was not included, NSW hospitals are reviewing infection data as researchers caution that antibiotic resistance crosses borders.