Trends in Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns in Maternity and Children Hospital, Dammam, Saudi Arabia, Over a More Than Six-Year Period, Retrospective Study

Background Antimicrobial stewardship plays a crucial role in optimizing antibiotic use to improve patient outcomes and combat resistance. One key strategy is narrowing the spectrum of empirical antibiotics once culture and sensitivity results are available. This targeted approach reduces unnecessary exposure to broad-spectrum agents, preserving their effectiveness. Timely de-escalation also minimizes adverse effects and helps maintain a balanced microbiome. This research study intends to understand antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in the Maternity and Children Hospital. It is of more than 6-year retrospective study (2018–2038), then the last 6 months of 2024 (as the 2024 first 6 months) data is not available. Objectives The aim of the study is to analyze trends in the common organism’s frequency and in antimicrobial susceptibility patterns within the Maternity and Children Hospital in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Methods The study will use a nonprobability sampling method and will focus on clinically available isolates employing antibiograms and confirmatory tests through the American Proficiency Institute and Phoenix100 automated system. The studies’ anticipated outcomes include insights into current susceptibility patterns, trends over the study period, and an assessment of implications for empirical antibiotic choices. Ethical considerations prioritized: data anonymity, nonmaleficence, and research integrity. This research will provide valuable contributions to addressing the common antimicrobial resistance challenges in maternal and pediatric healthcare, offering a foundation for evidence-based clinical decisions and global efforts against common antimicrobial resistance. Results This multiyear study provides a comprehensive overview of antimicrobial susceptibility patterns across key pathogens. ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella remained under 30%, supporting the use of third-generation cephalosporins in stable, localized infections, while carbapenems are preferred for serious or ESBL-related cases. AmpC producers like Citrobacter and Enterobacter require avoiding cephalosporins and piperacillin-tazobactam, favoring carbapenems and aminoglycosides. Acinetobacter showed unexpectedly high susceptibility, while Stenotrophomonas demonstrated resistance to ceftazidime, limiting its empirical use. Gram-positive organisms, including declining MRSA and stable MSSA, support tailored therapy, with vancomycin and linezolid reserved for invasive infections. Fungal pathogens retained broad antifungal susceptibility, affirming current therapeutic strategies. Conclusion This multiyear study emphasizes the importance of local antimicrobial susceptibility data in guiding empirical treatment and stewardship. Integrating stewardship principles and global guidelines helps optimize antibiotic use, reduce resistance, and prevent complications like C. difficile infection.