kids (1).jpg
A Gavi study reveals Nigerian newborns are being born with colistin-resistant bacteria, raising concerns over antibiotic resistance. Analyzed samples from hospitals in Kano and Abuja show that 1% of babies and mothers harbor resistant genes. This resistance likely stems from colistin's use in agriculture, highlighting a global health threat.

A recent study by Gavi, a global vaccine alliance, has revealed an alarming trend in Nigeria: newborns are being born with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, specifically colistin-resistant strains. This research, conducted between 2015 and 2017, analyzed samples from 4,907 newborns and their mothers across three hospitals in Kano and Abuja. The findings indicate that approximately 1% of the samples contained genes conferring resistance to colistin, a crucial antibiotic used to treat severe infections like pneumonia.

Colistin resistance in newborns is concerning because this antibiotic is one of the last lines of defense against life-threatening bacterial infections. While colistin is infrequently used in Nigerian hospitals, its resistance may stem from its widespread use in agriculture, where it is employed in animal feeds and crop production.

The World Health Organization has highlighted antimicrobial resistance as a critical global health threat, exacerbated by the misuse of antibiotics in both human medicine and agriculture. Nigeria, in particular, faces high rates of mortality linked to antimicrobial resistance, including sepsis, with 23.5 deaths per 100,000 people.

Experts emphasize the urgent need for a global ban on the agricultural use of colistin and recommend enhanced infection control measures in hospitals, improved sanitation in farms, and more responsible antibiotic practices. The study underscores the necessity of addressing this growing threat to protect both current and future generations from the severe consequences of antibiotic resistance.