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Three Million Child Deaths Linked to Drug Resistance, Alarming Study Reveals

Healthcare

Business Honor
14 April, 2025

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) claims millions of young lives, highlighting urgent global health crisis.

A groundbreaking study has revealed that more than three million children worldwide died in 2022 due to infections resistant to antibiotics, underscoring a growing public health emergency. The research, led by Dr. Yanhong Jessika Hu of the Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Professor Herb Harwell of the Clinton Health Access Initiative, shows a staggering increase in antimicrobial resistance (AMR), particularly in children from Africa and South East Asia.

AMR occurs when bacteria evolve to resist the effects of drugs that once killed them, interpreting common treatments ineffective. The study highlights the significant toll of AMR on vulnerable populations, with infections from resistant bacteria now a leading cause of child mortality. The report, based on data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank, shows that AMR-related deaths among children have risen dramatically in recent years, exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Between 2019 and 2021, the use of "watch antibiotics" — drugs that carry a high risk of resistance — surged by 160% in South East Asia and 126% in Africa. These figures reflect the growing overuse and misuse of antibiotics, which are often prescribed unnecessarily for viral infections or used as preventive measures. The increased use of these antibiotics, especially in resource-limited settings, has accelerated the development of resistance, putting millions of children at greater risk.

The authors of the study warn that without effective alternatives, the situation will worsen. If resistance continues to grow, there will be fewer viable treatment options for multidrug-resistant infections, threatening the advances made in child health over the past few decades.

Experts stress that tackling AMR requires a comprehensive, multifaceted approach, including improved hygiene, vaccination programs, and better management of antibiotic use. Dr. Lindsey Edwards from King’s College London echoed these concerns, stating that the study serves as a wake-up call for global health leaders. She emphasized the need for decisive action to prevent AMR from reversing decades of progress in child health, especially in the most vulnerable regions.