Over 3 Million Children Died from AMR-Related Infections in 2022, Major Study Reveals

A groundbreaking study presented at the ESCMID Global 2025 conference has revealed that more than 3 million children worldwide lost their lives in 2022 due to infections linked to antibiotic resistance (AMR).

The findings highlight the urgent need for both regional and global strategies to combat pediatric AMR, particularly in high-burden areas such as Southeast Asia and Africa. Children are particularly vulnerable to infections, and the development delays of new antibiotic formulations have severely restricted their access to effective treatments.

According to the study, over 752,000 children in Southeast Asia and 659,000 in Africa succumbed to complications related to AMR in just that year. Many of these deaths were associated with the use of 'Watch' antibiotics (medications with a high risk of resistance) and 'Reserve' antibiotics (the last line of defense against severe, multidrug-resistant infections).

'Watch' and 'Reserve' antibiotics are not intended for first-line treatment and should only be utilized when necessary to preserve their effectiveness and mitigate the development of resistance.

Between 2019 and 2021, the use of 'Watch' antibiotics surged by 160% in Southeast Asia and 126% in Africa. During the same period, the use of 'Reserve' antibiotics increased by 45% in Southeast Asia and 125% in Africa.

Of the more than 3 million child fatalities globally, 2 million were linked to the use of 'Watch' and 'Reserve' antibiotics. An expert in the field noted that while the increased use of these antibiotics may seem necessary in response to the rising incidence of drug-resistant infections, it poses serious long-term risks.

The rising reliance on these medications, especially without rigorous monitoring, amplifies the risk of developing resistance and limits future treatment options. If bacteria become resistant to these antibiotics, there may be limited alternatives for treating multidrug-resistant infections.

Several factors contribute to the extent of AMR in low- and middle-income countries, including overcrowded hospitals, poor sanitation, and insufficient infection prevention measures, which facilitate the spread of resistant pathogens within healthcare settings and communities.

Experts warn that already alarmingly high mortality rates are set to rise further, particularly in low- and middle-income nations where access to alternative treatments and advanced medical interventions may be limited. Addressing this issue requires urgent and coordinated action at both regional and global levels.