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Updated: May 23, 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

Decreased paediatric antibiotic consumption in France between 2000 and 2010

Marie-Aliette Dommergues1, Véronique Hentgen

  • 1Service de Pédiatrie, Centre Hospitalier de Versailles, Le Chesnay, France. madommergues@orange.fr

Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases
|April 14, 2012
PubMed

Insights

France saw a significant decrease in antibiotic prescriptions for children following a national campaign. However, antibiotic use for otitis increased, particularly in young children, indicating a need for targeted interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Antibiotic resistance is a global public health crisis, exacerbated by high consumption rates.
  • France implemented a national campaign in 2001 and guidelines in 2005 to curb inappropriate antibiotic use.
  • Respiratory tract infections are a common reason for antibiotic prescriptions in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze trends in pediatric outpatient antibiotic use in France from 2000 to 2010.
  • To evaluate the impact of national interventions on antibiotic prescribing patterns in children.
  • To identify specific conditions contributing to changes in antibiotic consumption.

Main Methods:

  • Data were sourced from the Permanent Survey of Medical Prescription (PSMP) in France.
  • Prescribing patterns were analyzed from 835 general practitioners and specialists.
  • The study period spanned from 2000 to 2010, focusing on pediatric outpatient antibiotic use.

Main Results:

  • Overall antibiotic prescriptions for children decreased significantly between 2001 and 2010 across all age groups.
  • The largest reduction was observed for rhinopharyngitis, while otitis showed the smallest decrease.
  • The proportion of antibiotic prescriptions for otitis in infants (0-24 months) nearly doubled, from 22.5% to 42.3%.

Conclusions:

  • Despite overall reductions, antibiotic consumption for otitis in young children remains a concern.
  • Further targeted strategies are required to address the rising proportion of antibiotic use for otitis.
  • Optimizing antibiotic stewardship for common childhood infections is crucial.
Abstract

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