Complications Associated With Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy in Children

Background. The authors sought to determine the prevalence, risk factors, and clinical impact of complications associated with outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) in children. Methods. A cohort of patients <= 18 years old with infections, who received OPAT were evaluated retrospectively. Antibiotic-associated complications (AACs), catheter-associated complications (CACs), and unplanned medical care visits were the main outcome measures. Results. Overall, 36 complications (25 CACs and 11 AACs) occurred in 32 of 98 patients. Mean age of patients, race, gender, and infecting organism did not differ between study groups. The use of OPAT for osteomyelitis was associated with complications (odds ratio = 2.69; 95% confidence interval = 0.99-7.35; P = .05). All patients, except for 4 who had complications, clinically improved by the end of OPAT. Unplanned medical visits occurred in 17 patients, 15 of which were because of CACs. Conclusion. Complications occurred commonly in children receiving OPAT and resulted in unplanned medical visits.