Archive · 2 Aug 2025
Study: Malnutrition in Children Increases Antibiotic Resistance
A new study shows that kids under five who are very malnourished are getting bacteria that can fight off antibiotics.
Scientists looked at kids in a hospital in Niger who were being treated for being underweight.
They found that many of these kids had bacteria in their bodies that can resist the medicines used to fight infections.
These bacteria are becoming a big problem worldwide because they make it harder to treat serious illnesses.
This means that common medicines may not work, making it important to keep hospitals clean to protect vulnerable children.
Study indicates severe malnutrition in children under five may increase antibiotic resistance.
Researchers analyzed over 3,000 rectal swabs from children treated for severe malnutrition.
76% of children carried bacteria with ESBL genes, which break down antibiotics.
25% of children carried bacteria with carbapenemase genes, resistant to powerful antibiotics.
The study emphasizes the need for infection prevention in hospitals treating malnourished children.
- Who
- Researchers at the Ineos Oxford Institute for antimicrobial research (IOI) and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) conducted the study.
- What
- A study found that severe malnutrition in children under five can increase antibiotic resistance.
- When
- The study was conducted between 2016 and 2017, and the findings were published recently.
- Where
- The study took place in a treatment facility in Niger.
- Why
- To investigate the spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria among children treated for severe malnutrition.
Researchers' Perspective
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Hospital Measures
Researchers' Perspective
Stressed the need to prioritize infection prevention and control measures in hospitals to protect the most vulnerable patients.
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N/A
- Study Focus
- Antibiotic resistance in malnourished children
- Age Group
- Children under five
- Location
- Niger
- ESBL Genes
- Found in 76% of children
- Carbapenemase Genes
- Found in 25% of children
- Lead Author
- Dr. Kirsty Sands
- Collaborator
- Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders)