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AUGUST 2, 2024

Do Cefotaxime Alternatives Increase Adverse Events in Neonates?

By Karen Blum

Since cefotaxime—the preferred cephalosporin in neonates—was discontinued in 2018, many hospital neonatal ICUs (NICUs) have switched to ceftazidime or cefepime. But a recent study of more than 50,000 neonates indicates that these alternatives could lead to increased adverse events, with a significantly higher proportion of babies developing sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) or dying, compared with those given cefotaxime.

The study “added to some of my