Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2026
Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
Antibiotic consumption in children prior to diagnosis of asthma
Fawziah Marra1, Carlo A Marra, Kathryn Richardson
1University of British Columbia, BC, Canada. fawziah.marra@bccdc.ca
Insights
Children with asthma consume more antibiotics than those without. This pattern suggests diagnostic challenges and potential over-treatment in pediatric asthma cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Pharmacology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Diagnosing asthma in children is challenging, often leading to misdiagnosis of infections.
- Limited data exists on antibiotic use patterns in children with asthma compared to healthy peers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the magnitude and patterns of antibiotic consumption in children diagnosed with asthma.
- To compare antibiotic use in asthmatic children versus non-asthmatic children.
Main Methods:
- Utilized population-based data from 128,872 children with a minimum of 6 years of follow-up.
- Calculated the adjusted rate-ratio (RR) of antibiotic dispensing for asthmatic versus non-asthmatic children.
Main Results:
- Asthmatic children showed a higher rate-ratio (RR) of antibiotic consumption, ranging from 1.66 to 2.32 at age six.
- Over half (52%) of children with asthma received antibiotics in the 6 months preceding their diagnosis.
- Antibiotic use was higher in the month before asthma diagnosis (RR=1.66) and more prevalent in females.
Conclusions:
- Children with asthma exhibit significantly higher antibiotic consumption compared to their non-asthmatic counterparts.
- The observed antibiotic use patterns indicate difficulties in adhering to diagnostic guidelines for pediatric asthma, potentially resulting in misdiagnosis and overtreatment.
Background:
Asthma is difficult to diagnose in children and at times misdiagnosis of an infection can occur. However, little is known about the magnitude and patterns of antibiotic consumption in children with asthma relative to those without asthma.
Methods:
Using population-based data, 128,872 children were identified with at least 6 years of follow-up. The adjusted rate-ratio (RR) of antibiotics dispensed to asthmatic as compared to non-asthmatic children was determined.
Results:
At age six, the RR of antibiotic consumption for asthmatics compared to non-asthmatics varied between, 1.66 to 2.32, depending on the year of asthma diagnosis. Of the 18,864 children with asthma at ages 2-8, 52% (n = 9,841) had antibiotics dispensed in the 6 months prior to their index date of asthma diagnosis. The RR of antibiotic consumption in the 1 month prior to asthma diagnosis compared to 5 months prior was 1.66 (95% CI 1.60-1.71). The RR was lower in males compared to females (1.58 vs 1.77), and lower in those who received antibiotics in the first year of life relative to those that did not (1.60 vs. 1.76).
Conclusions:
There is higher antibiotic consumption in children with asthma compared to those without asthma. The pattern of antibiotic use suggests that diagnosis guidelines are difficult to follow in young children leading to misdiagnosis and over treatment with antibiotics.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
01:28Asthma I: Introduction
01:25Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...
01:19Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers
Leukotriene modifiers work through two distinct mechanisms:
01:29Asthma-I: Introduction
01:25Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids
ICS work through a multifaceted mechanism of action. They suppress the inflammatory response caused by the proliferation of TH cells. They also reduce the transcription of the IL-2 gene, which is involved in the...