Abstract :

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Antibiotics have greatly improved healthcare by treating previously lethal infections. However, overreliance and irrational use have led to Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), where microbes neutralize antibiotic effects. While AMR is less common in cancer patients, it poses challenges during chemotherapy.

Objective: Assess AMR prevalence in pediatric cancer patients receiving antibiotics.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 300 pediatric cancer patients receiving antibiotics was conducted at The Children’s Hospital and Institute of Child Health, Lahore, Pakistan, over six months. Data was collected via convenient sampling.

Results: Predominantly, children aged 4 to 7 suffered from various cancers, with lymphoblastic leukemia (47%) most prevalent. Blood samples (29%) were most frequently used, revealing greater susceptibility to gram-negative bacteria. AMR incidence was higher in gram-negative bacteria. Sensitivity was noted for ciprofloxacin (23%), amikacin (21%), piperacillin (24%), and ceftazidime (23%). Penicillin antibiotics and ceftazidime showed higher AMR incidence.

Conclusion: AMR poses a significant challenge in treating infections in pediatric cancer patients. Appropriate antibiotic selection is crucial to prevent AMR and ensure chemotherapy efficacy.

Keywords: Antimicrobial Resistance; Cancer; Antibiotics; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Pediatric Patients.