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A population-based study of antibiotic prescriptions for Danish children
N Thrane1, F H Steffensen, J T Mortensen
1The Danish Epidemiology Science Centre at the Department of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Aarhus. nt@soci.au.dk
Insights
Nearly two-thirds of young Danish children received antibiotics in 1997. Penicillins were common, but broad-spectrum use in toddlers warrants guideline review.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric pharmacology
- Pharmacoepidemiology
- Infectious disease management
Background:
- Antibiotic use in children is a significant public health concern.
- Understanding age and sex-specific prescribing patterns is crucial for optimizing treatment and combating resistance.
- Danish children's antibiotic consumption data provides valuable insights into pediatric prescribing practices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the utilization of systemic and topical antibiotics in Danish children aged 0-15 years.
- To investigate potential variations in antibiotic prescriptions based on age and sex.
- To evaluate adherence to national guidelines for pediatric antibiotic use.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Danish Pharmacoepidemiological Prescription Database for comprehensive prescription data.
- Included all children aged 0-15 years in North Jutland County, Denmark, during 1997 (approx. 95,000 children).
- Analyzed prescription data for both systemic and topical antibiotic formulations.
Main Results:
- Identified 44,640 systemic and 12,661 topical antibiotic prescriptions.
- Highest systemic antibiotic prescription rates were observed in 1- to 2-year-olds (945/1000 children/year).
- Penicillins constituted 88% of systemic prescriptions; broad-spectrum penicillins were prevalent in children under 3 years.
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of young children (0-2 years) received antibiotic treatment within a year.
- While penicillins are frequently prescribed, the high use of broad-spectrum types in young children suggests a need for guideline enforcement review.
- Findings highlight the importance of monitoring pediatric antibiotic prescribing to ensure appropriate use and mitigate antimicrobial resistance.
Background:
The aim of the study was to examine the use of systemic and topical antibiotics in relation to age and sex in Danish children.
Methods:
We used the Pharmacoepidemiological Prescription Database to identify the individual prescriptions of antibiotics provided for all 0-to 15-year-old children in North Jutland County, Denmark, during 1997. The population was approximately 95000 children.
Results:
We identified 44640 prescriptions for systemic antibiotics. The annual prescription rate was highest in the 1- to 2-year-olds, with 945 prescriptions/1000 children/year. One-half of these children received at least 1 prescription, and 12% received 3 or more prescriptions. Among the 11- to 15-year-old children 17% received one or more prescriptions. Overall 88% of the prescriptions were penicillins and 10% were macrolides. In children younger than 3 years 57% of prescriptions were for broad spectrum penicillins, but in children older than 6 years penicillin V was the most frequently used antibiotic. We identified 12 661 prescriptions for topical antibiotics used in eye infections. The prescription rate peaked in the 1- to 2-year-old children, one-third of whom received at least 1 prescription.
Conclusions:
Almost two-thirds of the 0- to 2-year-old children in the population were treated with either systemic or topical antibiotics during 1 year. Physicians prescribe mostly penicillins, but the proportion of broad spectrum penicillins for young children was so high, however, that enforcement of national guidelines should be reconsidered.