Trends in the Use of Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis in General Pediatric Surgery: Are We Missing the Mark for Both Stewardship and Infection Prevention?

Retrospective analysis of 15,708 pediatric surgical cases reveals 44% noncompliance with antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines, with both overtreatment (42%) and undertreatment (58%) prevalent across procedure types. Highest deviation rates occurred in small bowel, colorectal, and central line procedures, highlighting urgent need for improved stewardship protocols.