ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE AND TREATMENT OUTCOMES IN PEDIATRIC COMMUNITY-ACQUIRED PNEUMONIA: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) becomes one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality among children worldwide. Increasing antimicrobial resistance among respiratory pathogens creates difficulties in empirical antibiotic therapy and negatively affects recovery outcomes. This systematic review evaluated antibiotic resistance patterns and related clinical outcomes in pediatric CAP Electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for articles published between January 2015 and March 2026. Studies evaluating antimicrobial resistance patterns and patient outcomes among pediatric CAP patients were included. Data extraction and methodological quality assessment were carried out independently by reviewers according to PRISMA guidelines. The review indicated increasing resistance to macrolides, penicillins, and cephalosporins in common respiratory pathogens. Resistant infections were connected with prolonged hospitalization, delayed recovery, increased ICU admission, and greater healthcare spendings. Antimicrobial management and vaccination programs showed considerable benefits in reducing resistant infections and improving patient quality of life. Antibiotic resistance is considered a major challenge in pediatric CAP management. Continued monitoring, clinically approved prescribing, and implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs are very important for optimizing pediatric care and preventing the spread of resistance.