In a new study published in Nature Communications, insufficient nutrition in children is shown to contribute to the spread of difficult-to-treat, antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The scientists’ goal was to determine how frequently gram-negative bacteria resistant to antibiotics appear in children. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the global challenges threatening humanity today. The problem is especially acute when it concerns the most vulnerable groups. The study was conducted on children under five diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) at a hospital in Niger.
Alarming Findings from the Clinic
Researchers found that 76% of children developed resistant bacteria during their hospital stay. Most concerning is that the spread of antibiotic-resistant genes, particularly blaNDM-5, sharply increased from admission to discharge.
The spread of the blaNDM-5 gene is a dangerous cause for concern, as bacteria containing this gene are resistant even to last-resort antibiotics (carbapenem group). blaNDM-5 synthesizes the enzyme New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM-5), which effectively neutralizes antibiotics. Consequently, most modern antibiotics are ineffective against bacteria carrying blaNDM-5.
The study’s lead author, Kirsty Sands, notes that these results are particularly important because they are the first to show how antibiotic resistance spreads in a hospital environment. According to her, children with malnutrition are especially vulnerable to these infections due to their weakened health.
Practical Outcomes and Future Perspectives
The research clearly shows that the hospital environment is a major hotspot for the spread of resistant bacteria. This discovery challenges standard treatment protocols for severe acute malnutrition, which often include broad-spectrum antibiotics.
The researchers indicate that it is essential to:
Improve hygiene standards in hospitals to reduce the risk of bacterial spread.
Review antibiotic use and prescribe them in a more targeted way to reduce the development of resistant strains.
Strengthen preventive measures, especially in the most vulnerable populations.
The study highlights a grim reality: malnutrition in children increases the risk of spreading bacteria that are almost impossible to treat. Combating this problem requires a systemic approach that combines hygiene, healthy nutrition, and the prudent use of antibiotics. Only through collective effort can we protect our children’s health and preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics for the future.
Reference
Sands, K., Lankapalli, A. K., Lai, G., et al. (2025). Acquisition of Escherichia coli carrying extended-spectrum -lactamase and carbapenemase genes by hospitalised children with severe acute malnutrition in Niger. Nature Communications, 16, 6751.
