Journal
ACTA PAEDIATRICA
Volume 110, Issue 6, Pages 1902-1910Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1111/apa.15847
Keywords
COVID-19; SARS-COV-2; antibiotics; stewardship
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This study aimed to evaluate the rates of antibiotic prescriptions in children with COVID-19 or MIS-C. The study found a high rate of antibiotic use in these children, especially in those with severe disease or MIS-C. Factors associated with increased antibiotic use included the severity of the illness, need for intensive care, and administration of steroids.
Aim This study aims to assess rates of antibiotic prescriptions and its determinants in in children with COVID-19 or Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C). Methods Children A total of 990 children were included: 921 (93%) with COVID-19, 69 (7.0%) with MIS-C. The prevalence of antibiotic use was 24.5% (n = 243). MIS-C with (OR = 45.48) or without (OR = 10.35) cardiac involvement, provision of intensive care (OR = 9.60), need for hospital care (OR = 6.87), pneumonia and/or ARDS detected through chest X-rays (OR = 4.40), administration of systemic corticosteroids (OR = 4.39), oxygen support, mechanical ventilation or CPAP (OR = 2.21), pyrexia (OR = 1.84), and female sex (OR = 1.50) were independently associated with increased use of antibiotics. There was significant variation in antibiotic use across the hospitals. Conclusion Our study showed a high rate of antibiotic prescriptions in children with COVID-19, in particular in those with severe disease or MIS-C. Prospective studies are needed to provide better evidence on the recognition and management of bacterial infections in COVID-19 children.
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