Antibiotic-resistant bacteria in respiratory samples of children with severe neurological problems

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance is a major health problem worldwide. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) in the respiratory tract of children with severe neurological problems have not been studied. Aims: To examine how frequently ARB are found in respiratory samples of children with both neurological and respiratory problems. Methods: From a local database of 157 children with neurological and respiratory problems, we identified those with ARB found on respiratory samples over a five-year period. Results: Of 55 children with respiratory samples, 41 (75%) had at least one ARB (Table 1); 36 (65%) had multi-resistant ARB Conclusions: ARB are prevalent in respiratory samples of children with severe neurological problems. Prospective cohort studies would determine emerging resistance patterns, and the clinical significance of these findings.