A study conducted at 2 pediatric academic healthcare systems resulted in data showing that 75% of antibiotic prescriptions for children with acute otitis media (AOM) were written for durations longer than recommended. As presented in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, the researchers focused on 5-day antibiotic prescriptions as the primary outcome and compared them to 7-day and 10-day prescriptions. They also examined treatment failure, recurrence of AOM, hospitalization, and adverse drug events. Using electronic medical record data, the study analyzed outpatient encounters for AOM in children aged 2 to 17 years at 135 care locations from 2019 to 2022. Out of the 73,198 AOM encounters, 84% resulted in an antibiotic prescription. Of these, only 5% were for 5 days, 20% were for 7 days, and 75% were for 10 days.
Why this matters: The 2013 American Academy of Pediatrics AOM guidelines recommend antibiotic durations of 5 to 7 days for children ages 2 years and older, yet most kids received longer 10-day courses. AOM is a common condition among children, and the study authors noted their concern for improving antibiotic stewardship.
Read More
- Antibiotic Stewardship in Pediatric Acute Otitis Media—Pearls and Pitfalls
- Influence of Clinical Setting on Antibiotic Prescribing Practices for Acute Otitis Media in Children at an Urban Academic Medical Center
- Improving Adherence to Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Acute Otitis Media in Pediatric Patients