Antibiotic Use Among Children

Finkelstein JA, Stille C, Nordin J, et al: Reduction in antibiotic use among US children, 1996-2000. Pediatrics 2003; 112(3): 620-627.

Due to the public health crisis of antibiotic resistance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention promoted a campaign to encourage judicious antibiotic prescribing for children. These authors analyzed automated claims data from nine health plans providing information for dispensed medications and physician visits for 25,000 children aged 3 to 18 years. Results suggest a reduction in use of antibiotics between 1996 and 2000.

Over the 5-year period, children from 3 to 36 months received an average of 2.2 antibiotics per year, children 3 to 6 years received 1.3 antibiotics per year, and children 6 to 18 years received 0.77 antibiotics per year. While there was a drop in all ages, the largest drop was in young children from the 3.1 antibiotics per year to 2.2 antibiotics per year. Most of the antibiotics were prescribed for otitis media in this group. Also noted was a decrease in medical visits for any reason, including preventive care (from 3.3 visits per person per year to 3.0 visits per person per year).