Use of Antibiotics and Severe Bacterial Infections Within the First 6 Months of Life-A Population-Based Cohort Study From East Denmark.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

To investigate antibiotic exposure and the incidence of severe bacterial infections during the first 6 months of life in preterm infants born between 28 and 37 weeks of gestation.

Methods

Retrospective population-based study of preterm infants in East Denmark, 2019-2021. Participants were identified based on dispensed antibiotics through the joint electronic health system. Infectious episodes were defined as suspected (≤ 4 days of treatment), probable (≥ 5 days of treatment) or proven if blood culture positive.

Results

During the first 6 months of life, 557 of 5128 (11%) preterm infants received 635 courses. Two-thirds of all antibiotic courses were administered within the first 72 h of life, with 12 proven infections, that is, 2.3 per 1000 live births. Beyond 72 

SUBMITTER: Arnesen AB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12336968 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature