Antibiotic prescribing for kids is frequently inappropriate
Summary: Broad-spectrum antibiotics are very commonly prescribed for kids, especially with respiratory conditions, when they are not indicated.A study just published in the journal Pediatrics disappointingly documents that antibiotics are still grossly overused in pediatric practice. The authors state:
"Antibiotics are commonly prescribed for children with conditions for which they provide no benefit, including viral respiratory infections. Broad-spectrum antibiotic use is increasing, which adds unnecessary cost and promotes the development of antibiotic resistance."
This is more than a matter of promoting antibiotic-resistant pathogens. As more insight emerges into the profound importance of the human microbiome (indigenous microbial flora), the serious immune and metabolic consequences implications of damaging the microbial flora are becoming more apparent. The authors set out to...
"...provide a nationally representative analysis of antibiotic prescribing in ambulatory pediatrics according to antibiotic classes and diagnostic categories and identify factors associated with broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribing."
They examined data from the National Ambulatory and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care surveys from 2006 to 2008 for the percentage of visits for patients younger than 18 years for whom antibiotics were prescribed, their category, and the associated diagnoses. The guidelines for judicious use of broad-spectrum antibiotics have obviously not hit home:
"Antibiotics were prescribed during 21% of pediatric ambulatory visits; 50% were broad-spectrum, most commonly macrolides. Respiratory conditions accounted for >70% of visits in which both antibiotics and broad-spectrum antibiotics were prescribed. Twenty-three percent of the visits in which antibiotics were prescribed were for respiratory conditions for which antibiotics are not clearly indicated, which accounts for >10 million visits annually."
Research is needed to investigate to what degree this may contribute to the rising tide of autoimmune disease and allergy. The authors conclude:
"Broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribing in ambulatory pediatrics is extremely common and frequently inappropriate."