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Differences in the drug prescriptions to children by Italian paediatricians and general practitioners

Antonio Clavenna1, Marco Sequi, Maurizio Bonati

  • 1Laboratory for Mother and Child Health, Department of Public Health, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, via Giuseppe La Masa 19, Milan, 20156, Italy. antonio.clavenna@marionegri.it

European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
|February 5, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Pediatricians and general practitioners show similar drug prescribing habits for children, with slight variations in antibiotic choices and higher prescription rates by general practitioners for older children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pharmacology
  • General Practice
  • Health Services Research

Background:

  • Understanding variations in pediatric drug prescribing is crucial for optimizing child healthcare.
  • Comparing prescribing patterns between family pediatricians and general practitioners (GPs) can identify best practices.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the drug prescribing habits of family pediatricians and general practitioners for children aged 6-13 years.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of prescription data reimbursed by the Health Service in Italy during 2005.
  • Inclusion of family pediatricians and GPs managing children aged 6-13 years across 15 local health units.
  • Statistical analysis of prescription prevalence, drug classes, and adjusted odds ratios.

Main Results:

  • Over 239,000 children received prescriptions; prevalence was slightly higher with GPs (44.2% vs. 43.4%).
  • Older children (13 years) showed a higher prescription prevalence with GPs (38.7% vs. 31.8%).
  • Antibiotic prescribing differed: pediatricians favored penicillins, while GPs used more macrolides and cephalosporins.

Conclusions:

  • Prescribing patterns for children are largely similar between family pediatricians and GPs.
  • Notable differences emerge for older children and specific antibiotic classes.
Abstract

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