Errors in Antimicrobial Prescription and Administration in Very Low Birth Weight Neonates at a Tertiary South African Hospital.

Background: Antimicrobial prescription and administration-related errors occur frequently in very low birth weight (VLBW; <1,500 g) neonates treated for bloodstream infections (BSI). Methods: Antimicrobial prescriptions for the treatment of laboratory-confirmed BSI were retrospectively analyzed for VLBW neonates at Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa (1 July 2018 - 31 December 2019), describing antimicrobial type, indication, duration of therapy and BSI outcomes. The prevalence of, and risk factors for prescription (dose, interval) and administration errors (hang-time, delayed/missed doses) were determined. Results: One hundred and sixty-one BSI episodes [16 (9.9%)] early-onset, 145 [90.1%] healthcare-associated) affected 141 neonates (55% male, 25% born to mothers living with HIV, 46% <1,000 g birth weight) with 525 antimicrobial prescription episodes [median 3.0 (IQR 2-4) prescriptions/BSI episode]. The median duration of therapy for primary BSI, BSI-associated with meningitis and BSI-associated with surgical infections was 9, 22, and 28 days, respectively. The prevalence of dose and dosing interval errors was 15.6% (77/495) and 16.4% (81/495), respectively with prescription errors occurring most commonly for piperacillin-tazobactam and vancomycin given empirically. Administration errors were less frequent [3.8% (219/5,770) doses missed; 1.4% (78/5,770) delayed], however 64% had a hang-time (time from sepsis diagnosis to 1st dose of antimicrobial) exceeding 60 min. On multivariable analysis, postnatal age >7 days was associated with prescription errors (p = 0.028). The majority of neonates with BSI required escalation of respiratory support (52%) and 26% required intensive care admission. Despite fair concordance between empiric antimicrobial/s prescription and pathogen susceptibility (74.5%), BSI-attributable mortality in this cohort was 30.4%. Conclusion: VLBW neonates with BSI's were critically ill and had high mortality rates. Hang-time to first antimicrobial administration was delayed in two-thirds of BSI episodes and prescription errors affected almost 1 in 6 prescriptions. Targets for intervention should include reducing hang-time, use of standardized antimicrobial dosing guidelines and implementation of antimicrobial stewardship recommendations.

Healthcare-Associated Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Transmission in a Neonatal Unit: The Importance of Universal Masking, Hand Hygiene, and Symptom Screening in Containment.

Following exposure to a healthcare worker with an influenza-like illness, 2 preterm neonates and 6 staff members developed symptoms and tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This neonatal unit coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak occurred prior to the implementation of universal masking and symptom screening policies. Both neonates and all staff recovered, with no further healthcare-associated SARS-CoV-2 transmission following the implementation of effective outbreak containment measures.

Nevirapine concentrations in preterm and low birth weight HIV-exposed infants: implications for dosing recommendations.

World Health Organisation guidelines recommend nevirapine 2 mg/kg/d for HIV-exposed infants <2 kg, but 4-6 mg/kg/d for infants >2 kg. In 116 low birth weight infants, nevirapine 2 mg/kg/d until 14 days, and 4 mg/kg/d thereafter, was safe (1 mild possibly related rash) and achieved target plasma concentrations. Concentrations decreased with treatment duration. Routine dose increase at 14 days should be considered.

Trough lopinavir concentrations in preterm HIV-infected infants.

Because of serious adverse effects, the Food and Drug Administration warns against using lopinavir in infants younger than 42 weeks postconception. However, there is an imperative for early treatment. We report on our use of LPV in 8 premature HIV-infected infants. The median age at initiation was 27 days. Trough values guided dosing. Five infants needed doses above 300 mg/m. Although no adverse events were noted, lopinavir usage requires caution and careful monitoring.

Oseltamivir use in low-birth weight infants during the 2009 nH1N1 influenza a outbreak in the Western Cape, South Africa.

Before vaccination against nH1N1 influenza was available in South Africa our hospital experienced an outbreak of nH1N1 infection on the maternal and neonatal platform. Oseltamivir was administered to nine low birth weight infants, five for therapy and four for prophylaxis. The median gestational age was 31 (27-37) weeks and the birth weight was 1660 (720-2360) g. Respiratory function improved in those with confirmed disease and none receiving prophylaxis developed worsening respiratory symptoms. One neonate receiving prophylaxis developed self-limiting conjunctivitis; another succumbed from necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) three days post completion of oseltamivir treatment. A causal relationship between oseltamivir and NEC, although unlikely, cannot be confirmed or excluded.