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Antibiotic availability and the prevalence of pediatric pneumonia during a physicians' strike

Ken Crocker1, Benvon Cramer, James M Hutchinson

  • 1Discipline of Radiology, Health Sciences Centre, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

The Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases & Medical Microbiology = Journal Canadien Des Maladies Infectieuses Et De La Microbiologie Medicale
|October 17, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

A significant decrease in antibiotic availability did not increase childhood pneumonia diagnoses, suggesting current antibiotic use for respiratory infections may exceed clinical needs. This study examined the impact of reduced antibiotic access on pediatric infectious disease rates.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health
  • Antibiotic Stewardship

Background:

  • Antibiotic overprescription for pediatric respiratory infections is a common concern.
  • Limited data exists on the impact of reduced antibiotic availability on pediatric infectious disease prevalence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if radiographically diagnosed pneumonia prevalence changed during a period of decreased physician access and antibiotic availability.
  • To assess the relationship between antibiotic availability and pediatric pneumonia rates.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective study analyzed pediatric respiratory antibiotic prescriptions during a physicians' strike.
  • Pediatric chest radiograph reports were reviewed to determine pneumonia diagnosis frequency.
  • The study assessed the impact of reduced antibiotic availability on pneumonia prevalence.

Main Results:

  • Antibiotic prescriptions decreased by at least 28% during the physicians' strike.
  • No significant change was observed in the frequency of radiographic pneumonia diagnoses.
  • Reduced antibiotic availability did not lead to an increase in diagnosed pneumonia.

Conclusions:

  • Community antibiotic availability for respiratory infections appears to exceed the amount needed to control pneumonia.
  • A 28% reduction in antibiotic availability did not result in increased respiratory disease in children.
  • Findings suggest potential for optimizing antibiotic prescribing practices in pediatric respiratory infections.
Keywords:
AntibioticsChest radiographyOverprescribingPediatric pneumoniaPhysician strikes

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