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Use of antibiotics in children hospitalized with community-acquired, laboratory-confirmed influenza

Jennifer J Wilkes1, Kateri H Leckerman, Susan E Coffin

  • 1Division of Infectious Diseases, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|October 31, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Many children hospitalized with influenza receive unnecessary antibiotics. A significant portion of these treatments lacked clear medical indications, highlighting a need for improved prescribing practices in pediatric influenza care.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Antimicrobial Stewardship

Background:

  • Influenza is a common viral illness in children.
  • Antibiotic use for viral infections is a growing concern.
  • Appropriate use of antibiotics is crucial to prevent resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the rate of antibiotic use in children hospitalized with influenza.
  • To evaluate the indications for antibiotic therapy in these patients.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of medical records.
  • Inclusion of pediatric patients hospitalized with influenza.
  • Assessment of antibiotic treatment duration and documented indications.

Main Results:

  • Nearly half (46%) of hospitalized children received >2 days of antibiotic treatment.
  • A substantial proportion (36%) of these treatments lacked a clear indication.
  • This suggests potential overuse of antibiotics in pediatric influenza cases.

Conclusions:

  • Antibiotic overuse is prevalent in pediatric influenza hospitalizations.
  • A significant percentage of treatments are initiated without clear indications.
  • Interventions targeting antimicrobial stewardship are needed to optimize antibiotic prescribing for influenza in children.

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