Dissemination on Optimizing Place of Treatment and Antibiotic Regimens for Young Infants Presenting with Signs of Possible Serious Bacterial Infection (PSBI - Trials)
January 20, 2025
Utshab Hall, Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel, Dhaka
Approximately 8–10% of infants experience at least one episode of PSBI in their first two months of life. The World Health Organization (WHO) currently recommends inpatient care, including injectable antibiotics and supportive treatment. However, many of these infants may not require hospitalization, which carries additional risks such as hospital-acquired infections, complicating care and longer hospital stays. Hence, there is a need to conduct multi-country, large sample clinical trials to improve the management of PSBI in young infants less than 2 months of age. In this context, WHO coordinated two clinical trials concurrently across six countries, including Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Tanzania, with funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In Bangladesh, PRF and Johns Hopkins University, USA led these trials in collaboration with WHO and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Bangladesh in Sylhet district
Key findings of two groundbreaking clinical trials focusing on improving the management of Possible Serious Bacterial Infection (PSBI) in young infants less than 2 months of age were presented at a dissemination meeting hosted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Projahnmo Research Foundation (PRF), Bangladesh at the Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel, Dhaka. These landmark trials provided evidence for innovative approaches to optimize place of treatment and duration of inpatient care for newborns, paving the way for better neonatal outcomes. The trials are crucial for resource-limited countries like Bangladesh, where limited hospital beds and challenges in referring young infants hinder neonatal care.
The dissemination meeting highlighted the potential impact of these findings and discussed strategies for scaling up evidence-based practices across Bangladesh and other LMICs. These strategies are expected to significantly enhance neonatal care, save countless lives, and address one of the most urgent global health challenges. The event brought together distinguished participants, including Honorable Professor Dr. Md. Sayedur Rahman, Special Assistant (State Minister) to the Chief Adviser, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Prof. Dr. Md. Abu Jafor, Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), professional bodies, senior paediatricians among other prominent stakeholders.
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