Background Antibiotics are among the most prescribed drugs in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), but frequently are used inappropriately exposing preterm neonates to additional harm. Antibiotic stewardship programs (ASP) have demonstrated impact on antibiotic use in the hospital setting, but implementation in neonatal units is challenging. We sought to determine the effects of weekly antibiotic rounds on overall antibiotic consumption in the NICU. Methods Single-center, retrospective observational study. In November 2014, we implemented weekly antibiotic rounds in a 60-bed tertiary-care NICU, led by a pediatric infectious disease physician. Antibiotic therapy decisions were made in collaboration with neonatologists. Data collected included the proportion of patients receiving antibiotics, irrespective of the indication. Multimodal ASP was implemented hospital-wide in 2015. Antibiotic consumption was measured with days of therapy (DOT). Data on costs and in-hospital mortality were obtained from pharmacy and hospital records. Results From November 2014 to December 2020, we evaluated 13609 neonates admitted to the NICU during rounds. Of those, 3607 (27%) were receiving at least one antibiotic. Overall, the proportion of patients with antibiotics decreased from 31% to 19% during the study period (p< 0.001). In 2017, an outbreak of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) occurred. Specific countermeasures as well as reinforcement of ASP were implemented. Despite Antibiotic usage by DOT increased in 2017 driven by empiric treatment with piperacillin tazobactam in patients with NEC, overall antibiotic consumption decreased from 254.4 DOT/1000 patient days (PD) to 162.4 DOT/1000 PD (Figure 1). Annual costs from antibiotic prescriptions were US&23,161 in 2015 and decreased to US&12.046 in 2020 saving over US&3,800/year (fig 2a). During the study period, we did not observe an increase in crude in-hospital mortality rate (Figure 2b). Primary Y axis indicates the proportion of patients with at least one antibiotic prescription during rounds. Secondary Y axis indicates antibiotic consumption by days of therapy metrics. Antibiotic prescription costs and NICU mortality rates during study period A. Annual antibiotic prescription costs; B. NICU mortality rate Conclusion Weekly antibiotic rounds led to a significant decrease in antibiotic utilization in our NICU. This strategy is relatively simple and low-cost, saves hospital resources and has a large impact on antibiotic use. Hence, its implementation is encouraged as part of successful antimicrobial stewardship programs. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Background Worldwide SARS-CoV-2 infections increase every day. Despite the infection is less severe in children, it can be severe and associated with complications. However, local data remain scarce. We sought to describe epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 infection in this population across different age groups. Methods Observational, multicenter study across 23 Colombian hospitals from 22 different territories. We included all patients from 0 months to 17 years with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection by either antigen or RT-PCR testing. Results From March 1, 2020, to October 31, 2021, we identified 1,186 patients: neonates (88), 1 to 3 months (130), 4 to 23 months (306), 2 to 4 years (169), 5 to 11 years (229) and 12 to 18 years (226) with confirmed COVID-19 infection. Of those,77(6.2%) were asymptomatic, 631(53.2%) hospitalized, 132(11.2%) required PICU. 58 cases met WHO definition of MIS-C. Patients less than 24 months of age were characterized by fever (74%) and more respiratory distress (30.1%) compared to other groups. Patients >5yo seemed to have a more severe presentation. They had more gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (31% vs 37.8%), had more need for ICU care given presentation with shock increased with age ( >5yo 9.5%; 5-12yo 10.6%; 12-18yo 11.5%). Lab markers including thrombocytopenia and Lymphopenia were more common on this age group. Antibiotic treatment was common (%%) especially in neonates (40.9%), despite bacterial coinfection was rare (8.7%), length of hospitalization was longer in older than 2-year-old groups. 23(1.9%) patients died, similar across different age groups. Heat map by age group Conclusion COVID-19 infection in Colombian children presented differently across different age groups. Children older than 5 years had a more severe clinical course and prolonged hospital stays. Clinical findings according to age groups could help clinicians in characterizing and identifying COVID 19 infections in Children. Disclosures Ivan Felipe Gutiérrez Tobar, n/a, Pfizer and MSD (Advisor or Review Panel member, Research Grant or Support, Speaker’s Bureau, Has received support from Pfizer and MSD for participation in congresses and has received conference payments from Pfizer)Pfizer and MSD (Speaker’s Bureau, Other Financial or Material Support, Has received support from Pfizer for participation in congresses) Juan P. Rojas -Hernandez, Candidate for doctorate in Public Health, Pfizer (Other Financial or Material Support, Has received support from Pfizer for participation in congresses) Eduardo López Medina, n/a, Pfizer (Other Financial or Material Support, Has received support from Pfizer for participation in congresses)