2016

Scholarly Paper
Implication of antibiotics resistance on childbearing
and child rear

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Implication of antibiotics resistance on childbearing and child rearing

Antibiotics resistance occurs as a result of bacteria adaptations that changes them in a way

that makes drugs less or not effective (Casey, 2012). The assigned article reported the first US

case of Colistin-resistant strain of E. coli, cultured from woman treated for a Urinary tract

infection (UTI). Colistin is an old antibiotic used as a last resort to treat stubborn bacterial

infections that would not yield to other antibiotics (CBS News, 2016). The implication is that

other bacteria could potentially pick up this Colistin - resistant gene, so Doctors now fear that

we are nearing an era of untreatable bacterial infections. This has huge consequences to the

health of mother and child: changes during pregnancy put the mom at increased risk and

children are also at a greater risk due to their immature system. The development of antibiotics

resistant strains would increase morbidity, mortality and the potential cost of childbearing and

child rearing.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the effects of antibiotic resistance to the health of the

young family. Writer aims to address some common bacterial infections that threaten

conception, healthy pregnancy, and healthy child development. Writer will also discuss the

effects of antibiotics resistance by these bacteria and how it affects the health services and

healthy child development social determinants of health. Finally, writer would address nursing

strategies related to antibiotics resistance that could promote the health of the family.

Antibiotics resistance

Bacteria are single-celled living organism that has the ability to adapt to make them survive

in the environment (Casey, 2012). Bacterial infection can occur from normal flora when there is
a change in the barriers set up by the body or by transmission from the environment and

infected persons. The primary cause of antibiotic resistance is overuse and misuse of antibiotics

(Johnson, 2012). Resistance occurs because the bacteria changes in ways that makes the

antibiotics unable to perform its function. Bacteria can transfer resistant genes to other

bacteria through a number of mechanisms hence all bacteria can potentially develop resistance

(Johnson, 2012).

The implication of antibiotic resistance to some infections that affect conception, neonate

and children.

Antibiotic resistance to bacteria would threaten childbearing and child rearing. For example,

Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis are bacteria that live in the genital tract and

could potentially cause miscarriages (Kwak et al., 2014). However, treatment with antibiotics

after detection is effective in preventing future miscarriages. A more common infection during

pregnancy usually caused by E. coli is the urinary tract infection. UTI can lead to preterm labor

and low birth weight but early and proper treatment of UTI can prevent harm to the unborn

child (Mazor-Dray et al., 2009). As mentioned earlier E. coli cultured from a woman with UTI

was reported to carry the Colistin- resistant gene which is a last resort antibiotic. This presents

a huge threat to the treatment of UTI and can have serious consequences to the unborn child

as a preterm or low birth weight child can develop severe health issues (Santana et al., 2011).

Group B streptococci (GBS) is another bacterium found in the genitals and urethra of

pregnant women (Field, 2011). During childbirth, GBS can be transferred from the mother to

the baby and this can cause sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis in the infected newborn (Field,
2011). GBS screening usually is done at 35 – 37 weeks and mothers carrying the bacteria are

administered antibiotics during labor to prevent transmission of GBS during birth.

According to WHO (2015), pneumonia is responsible for the death of 15 % of children less

than 5 years but bacterial pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics. Acute otitis media,

streptococcal pharyngitis, bacterial sinusitis, conjunctivitis, UTI, skin & soft tissue infections are

a number of common bacterial infections in children (Alter et al., 2011). These infections need

to be treated with an antibacterial regimen and failure of antibiotics to treat these infections

would result in needless suffering from prolonged signs and symptoms, complications and

death.

The effect of Antibiotics resistance on Health services and Healthy child development.

Critical illness leads to long hospitalization, increasing the cost of health care. There is also

the need for a long antibiotic treatment regimen that might not even be effective at preventing

morbidity and mortality. Newer antibiotics may be very expensive and only available at added

cost to the family and thus might lead to added stress. Access to health care might also be

impeded by transportation and housing as critically ill patients often need to be transferred to a

specialist hospital which may not be in the immediate vicinity. Furthermore, long hospital stays

might lead to loss of wages further adding to the family stress.

Healthy child development is at risk when a child is critically ill. Some illnesses can lead to

physical or mental disability, and more time spent in the hospital is less time spent in school

learning and engaging with peers which is important for the long term success of the child. A
child who isn’t able to develop normally as a result of illness is placed at a disadvantage that

can have lasting consequences in the child’s life.

Nursing strategies to promote the health of the family

The proactive way to ensure the health of the family is prevention, this includes hand

washing, immunization and staying away from infected people. Proper handwashing is the best

defense against the transmission of infection (Emanuele, 2010). Vaccination for the whole

family is very important, it can help prevent serious illnesses that require the use of antibiotics

(Emanuele, 2010). Screening and testing should be done for suspected illnesses; early

treatment is more effective. When an infection occurs, medication compliance becomes very

important. Antibiotics should only be prescribed for bacterial infections and must be taken

exactly as prescribed till the dose is completed. Patients should not push for antibiotics if the

Doctor does not think that it is needed. Discard all antibiotics after dose completion and do not

use it for anyone else or any other illness.

Conclusion

The abuse of antibiotics has led to a fast spread of antibiotics resistance in bacteria. Bacterial

infections can cause a number of illnesses ranging from mild to very severe and death. Illness

and loss place a lot of stress on the normal functioning of a family. The family has a role to play

in preventing illness and ensuring the effectiveness of prescribed antibiotics. Immunization,

hand hygiene, and prescription medication compliance are very important in preventing illness

and complications.
 Reference

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