Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Bacteremia in Pediatric Patients in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Data on the health impact of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae bloodstream infections (CRE-BSIs) in pediatric populations from Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) are limited. This systematic review aims to examine the demographic, clinical, and microbiological aspects and resource utilization of this infection in children from this region. Methods: This systematic review investigates the impact of CRE-BSIs in pediatric populations across LAC. Following the Cochrane methodology and PRISMA/MOOSE guidelines, we conducted an extensive search of different databases, including MEDLINE/PubMed, LILACS (SciELO), CENTRAL, CINAHL, Embase (Ovid), the Cochrane Library, and the World Health Organization (WHO) database, and relevant websites for published articles between January 2012 and September 2024. The review included studies on hospitalized patients under 19 years of age with CRE-BSIs. Results: Fourteen studies involving 189 patients were analyzed. Most cases were reported from Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Paraguay. The median age of the patients was 35 months. Key risk factors included immunocompromised status, invasive procedures, carbapenem use, and colonization. The infections were predominantly hospital-acquired, with Klebsiella pneumoniae and Serratia spp. being the most common pathogens. KPC and NDM were the primary resistance mechanisms. Most patients received combination antimicrobial therapy for a median of 17 days. An alarmingly high mortality rate at 34% was found. Conclusions: Our findings highlight that CRE-BSIs pose a significant threat to children with underlying conditions in LAC, leading to substantial morbidity and mortality. Implementing robust antimicrobial stewardship programs and effective infection control measures are crucial to curbing the spread of CRE-BSIs in the region. This review underscores the need for targeted interventions and further research to address this critical public health concern in pediatric populations across LAC.