Stewardship antimicrobica nel neonato e nel piccolo lattante: Perché e come praticarla

Antimicrobial resistances are increasing worldwide, due to the misuse of antibiotic therapies in humans as well as in animals. It is expected that within a few decades multi-resistant pathogens will become the leading cause of death worldwide. The misuse of antibiotics in the neonatal period depends on the lack of predictive diagnostic tests and the peculiarity of symptoms of sepsis, which frequently are vague and unspecific at the time of presentation. Policies to prevent the emergence of antimicrobial resistances rely on a judicious use of antibiotics, on protocols and additional measures shared by health care providers. This document summarizes recent indications issued in the Emilia-Romagna subsequent to a review of the literature.