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[Incidence of ampicillin rashes in childhood (author's transl)]
Insights
Ampicillin rashes occurred in 2.9% of pediatric patients. Incidence increased with age, reaching 9.9% in children aged 1-4 years, highlighting the need for monitoring ampicillin side effects.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pharmacology
- Clinical Toxicology
- Dermatology
Context:
- Ampicillin is a widely used antibiotic in pediatric care.
- Ampicillin rashes are a known, albeit infrequent, adverse drug reaction.
- Understanding the incidence and characteristics of these rashes is crucial for safe prescribing.
Purpose:
- To determine the incidence of ampicillin-associated rashes in a pediatric population.
- To analyze the occurrence of rashes across different age groups.
- To describe the clinical presentation and timing of ampicillin rashes.
Summary:
- A retrospective analysis of 6056 pediatric records identified 1482 children treated with ampicillin.
- An overall incidence of 2.9% for ampicillin rashes was observed, with higher rates in older children (4.06% in 31-365 days, 9.9% in 1-4 years, 8.8% in 5-15 years) compared to newborns (0%).
- Rashes typically appeared 4-12 days after starting ampicillin, were morbilliform, and resolved within 2-4 days. Eosinophilia was noted in 30% of cases.
Impact:
- Provides essential data on ampicillin rash incidence in diverse pediatric age groups.
- Informs clinical decision-making regarding ampicillin use and potential adverse reactions.
- Contributes to the pharmacovigilance of ampicillin in children.
Abstract:
In a retrospective clinical trial 6056 pediatric medical records were analysed concerning the incidence of ampicillin rashes. Out of this population 1482 children of different agegroups were treated with ampicillin for various diagnoses. 44 rashes had developed in patients, equivalent to an overall incidence of rashes attributable to ampicillin of 2.9%. 907 newborns, in the age of 0 until 30 days, did not show any exanthema; elder babies, aged 31 until to 365 days, showed an incidence of rashes associated with ampicillin therapy in 4.06%. Children of the age-groups 1 to 4, and 5 to 15 years had developed skin reactions in 9.9% and 8.8%, respectively. If the large group of newborn babies is not taken in account, the average incidence of ampicillin rashes increases from 2.9% to 7.6%. Eruption of exanthema after start of ampicillin therapy occured changed between the 1st and 21st day, usually after 4 and 5 or 7 to 12 days. The mostly morbilliform rashes vanished in the average after 2 to 4 days. In the beginning of or during exanthema the number of eosinophile leucocytes was increased in 30% of patients. In 93% the ampicillin therapy was ended after skin reactions were noticed; the rashes of children, who were treated further with ampicillin, did not show any difference to those exanthema of children, whose therapy was stopped.