Background: The impact of antimicrobial resistance on children living in resource-limited countries has been underreported, despite its established global threat.

Objective: This retrospective study aimed to describe the trend of antibiotic susceptibility in the paediatric age group.

Methods: Sensitivity test report data consisting of 300 paediatric patients aged 18 hours to 192 months were retrieved from the microbiology laboratory records at a state-owned children’s hospital in Nigeria over a period of 4 months starting from December 2021 to March 2022. Five genera (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus spp.) were cultured as recommended by the Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute, using the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out on isolates using 15 different antibiotics.

Results: Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequent pathogen isolated 32.1% (50/156) and Pseudomonas spp. was the least frequent pathogen isolated 7.1% (11/156) in all samples. The isolates with the highest rate of resistance to the tested antibiotics were S. aureus 32.1% (50/156), E. coli 28.2% (44/156) and Klebsiella spp. 20.5% (32/156). Isolates in all age groups were more resistant to ampicillin, amoxicillin + clavulanic acid, cefuroxime and cefepime.

Conclusion: Antibiotic resistance is high, especially the younger Nigerian children. Strict antibiotic protocols should be adhered to especially in the use of empirical antibiotic therapy in hospitals.

What this study adds: Our study reveals a higher trend of antibiotic resistance, especially in younger children. It further shows that the pathogens are most resistant to the most available empirical antibiotics in Nigeria.

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African Journal of Laboratory Medicine    |    ISSN: 2225-2002 (PRINT)    |    ISSN: 2225-2010 (ONLINE)