Authors: Alessandra Rossignoli Antonio Clavenna Maurizio Bonati
Publish Date: 2007/09/21
Volume: 63, Issue: 12, Pages: 1099-1106
Abstract
Large differences between studies were found with significant heterogeneity in epidemiological indicators Only 20 studies reporting comparable drug prescription data were considered in the analysis all of which were from the USA Canada NorthCentral Europe and Italy Preschool children were reported as comprising the most exposed age group to antibiotic therapy prevalence 72 prescription rate 22 prescriptions/person per year In the overall child and adolescent population ≤19 years prevalence varied from 14 to 57 mean 34 and the prescription rate from 02 to 13 prescriptions/person per year Relevant intercountry qualitative and quantitative differences in antibiotic prescribing were apparent although these were observed in only a few countries prevalence was higher in Italy and Canada prevalence range 42–57 and lower in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom prevalence range 14–21 Penicillins were the most prescribed antibiotics in all cases 40–70 of antibiotic prescriptions followed by macrolides 16–45 while cephalosporins accounted for a large proportion of the prescriptions in Italy 30–40 and Canada but were practically absent in North European prescriptionsComparative drug utilisation studies on antibiotic use in children are needed as are improvements in regulatory and educational programmes aimed at limiting the number prescriptions given for antibiotics Both approaches would address public health problems such as bacterial resistance and safety and elevated costs related to the use and misuse of these drugs
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