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Updated: Sep 14, 2025

Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses
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Antibiotic use among Danish children and adolescents 2010-2023: a nationwide drug utilisation study

Sasia J V Pedersen1, Mette Reilev2, Tine Brink Henriksen3,4

  • 1Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.

Infectious Diseases (London, England)
|July 21, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Antibiotic prescribing in Danish children decreased until 2020 but rose sharply afterward. This trend highlights the need for careful monitoring of pediatric antibiotic use and its impact on antimicrobial resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric pharmacology
  • Public health
  • Infectious disease epidemiology

Background:

  • Inappropriate antibiotic use in children, particularly for viral infections, is a significant driver of antimicrobial resistance.
  • This practice also contributes to adverse health outcomes in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze systemic antibiotic prescribing trends in Danish children from 2010 to 2023.
  • Focus on prevalence, quantity, and temporal changes in antibiotic utilization.

Main Methods:

  • Nationwide drug utilization study using redeemed prescriptions from the Danish National Prescription Registry.
  • Data analyzed for children under 18 years, covering 2010-2023.
  • Calculated annual prevalence and incidence rates, stratified by demographics and antibiotic classification (WHO AWaRe).

Main Results:

  • Over 5.5 million prescriptions were issued to 1.4 million children.
  • Prescription rates declined from 440/1000 in 2010 to 165/1000 in 2020 (COVID-19 lockdown).
  • Rates surged post-pandemic to 287/1000 in 2023, exceeding 2019 levels; beta-lactamase-sensitive penicillins were most common.

Conclusions:

  • A move towards more rational antibiotic prescribing patterns was observed in Danish children from 2010-2020.
  • A significant increase in antibiotic prescription rates from 2021 warrants close monitoring due to potential implications for antimicrobial resistance.
Abstract

Keywords:
Antibioticschildrendrug utilisationpaediatricstime trends

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