Antibiotics in lower respiratory tract infections in children
Year in reviewAims: Respiratory tract infections are extremely frequent in (young) children and are amongst the key reasons for outpatient clinic and ER visits, and hospital admissions.
Its is not always easy to differentiate between uncomplicated lower respiratory tract infection and community acquired pneumonia and between viral and bacterial infections. Frequently antibiotics are prescribed, which may always be useful and may cause increased antibiotic resistance.
Recently, 2 RCT on antibiotic use in lower respiratory tract infections and CAP in children addressed the question if antibiotics are useful (for lower RTI) and if prescribed (in case of suspicion of CAP) what would be the best dose and duration of treatment. In this year in review recent literature, including these 2 RCTS, will be discussed.