More than 2.8 million Americans become ill with antimicrobial-resistant infections each year, with more than 35 000 resulting deaths.
ITASCA, IL--The American Academy of Pediatrics overviews how the use of antibiotics in food-producing animals is tied to the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant infections in humans, and what can be done to protect children who are especially vulnerable, according to an updated technical report.
The technical report, “Use of Antibiotics in Animal Agriculture: Implications for Pediatrics,” written by the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases and Council on Environmental Health and Climate Change, will be published in the October Pediatrics (published online Sept. 23). The report, revised for the first time since 2015, describes historical and recent use of antibiotics in animal agriculture and reviews the mechanisms of how such use contributes to development of resistance.
“Antibiotics have cured diseases and saved lives for decades, but are also a victim of their own success,” said Sophie E. Katz, MD, FAAP, lead author of the report. “When organisms that cause disease no longer react to antibiotics, our options for treatment become limited.”
In 2020, a total of 18,462 infections, 4,788 hospitalizations, and 118 deaths among children and adults were reported to the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, a CDC surveillance system covering 15% of the U.S. population, according to the report. For most infections, incidence was highest among children younger than 5 years old.
The AAP describes the two most commonly reported infections in children, caused by the organisms Salmonella and Campylobacter. Both are a leading cause of foodborne illness in children and can cause severe illness and death.
To prevent foodborne illness, the report offers reminders for families to wash their hands when cooking or handling raw meat, after visiting petting zoos or farms, after handling any pet food or treats and after contact with companion animals. It is especially important to wash hands before preparing, serving, or consuming food and drinks or preparing baby bottles.
People should not consume raw eggs or food containing raw eggs, raw or undercooked meat, or unpasteurized milk or raw milk products.
The report recommends regulatory efforts to: limit antibiotic durations, increase tracking and reporting, and create public-facing dashboards about antimicrobial use in all animals, including those in agriculture and companion pets.
“This is a public health concern that affects all of us,” Dr. Katz said. “We encourage local, state, and private partners and stakeholders to collect and share data and take all steps necessary to ensure that antibiotics are used judiciously in animals and in humans.”
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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.