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Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses
11:17

Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses

Published on: August 30, 2018

[Antibiotic use in the pediatric population: factors to consider]

V Olmo Quintana1, E Santana Deniz, F Domínguez Ortega

  • 1Gobierno de Canarias, Farmaceutico, Grupo Urano (Uso Racional de los Antibiotico Orales), Farmaceutico de Atencion Primaria, Canarias, Spain. volmqui@gobiernodecanarias.org

Revista Espanola De Quimioterapia : Publicacion Oficial De La Sociedad Espanola De Quimioterapia
|June 20, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Antibiotic use in Canary Islands pediatrics decreased significantly between 2001-2005. Prescribing practices varied between provinces, with Las Palmas showing improvements possibly due to educational initiatives.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pharmacology
  • Infectious Disease Epidemiology
  • Public Health Policy

Context:

  • Antibiotic consumption in pediatric populations is a significant public health concern, influencing resistance patterns and healthcare costs.
  • Regional variations in antibiotic prescribing practices can highlight differences in healthcare delivery and educational interventions.
  • The Canary Islands experienced shifts in antibiotic utilization patterns between 2001 and 2005, necessitating analysis.

Purpose:

  • To retrospectively analyze pediatric antibiotic utilization in the Canary Islands from 2001 to 2005.
  • To compare antibiotic prescribing trends and costs between Tenerife and Las Palmas provinces.
  • To identify variations in the use of different antibiotic classes and their potential drivers.

Summary:

  • Total pediatric antibiotic prescriptions in the Canary Islands decreased annually from 2001 to 2005, with significant reductions in defined daily doses per 1000 inhabitants per day (DHD).
  • Broad-spectrum penicillins, tetracyclines, and macrolides showed decreased consumption, while cephalosporin use varied, and fluoroquinolone prescriptions were notable in both provinces.
  • Significant differences in antibiotic prescribing practices were observed between Tenerife and Las Palmas, with Las Palmas demonstrating a more evidence-based approach potentially linked to antibiotherapy education courses initiated in 2003.

Impact:

  • The study highlights regional disparities in pediatric antibiotic prescribing, underscoring the need for standardized, evidence-based guidelines.
  • Findings suggest that targeted educational programs can positively influence prescribing behaviors and potentially optimize antibiotic use.
  • This analysis provides valuable data for public health interventions aimed at improving antibiotic stewardship in pediatric care.

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