Prevention of recurrent acute otitis media in otitis-prone children by intermittent prophylaxis with penicillin.
The question whether penicillin V (pcV) given intermittently upon signs of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) in otitis-prone children might prevent recurrent bouts of acute purulent otitis media (AOM) is addressed. As compared with continuous long-term antibiotic treatment as prophylaxis in otitis-prone children, intermittent administration would reduce the overall consumption of antibiotics. Seventy-six otitis-prone children less than 18 months of age were included in this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled multicentre study. Follow-up was from January till June. One hundred and twenty-three episodes of AOM occurred. The number of AOM episodes was reduced by 50% in the children on pcV during URTI episodes as compared with those on placebo. No obvious ecological drawbacks were noted. Thus, the described mode of pcV administration seems to be a rational and safe way to reduce the number of AOM episodes in otitis-prone children.
Prellner
K
K
Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
Foglé-Hansson
M
M
Jørgensen
F
F
Kalm
O
O
Kamme
C
C
D000208:Acute Disease; D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019818:Clavulanic Acid; D002969:Clavulanic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D001936:Moraxella catarrhalis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000382:microbiology; D010035:Otitis Media, Suppurative / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010404:Penicillin V / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010919:Placebos; D012008:Recurrence; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012646:Self Administration; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000302:isolation & purification
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002969:Clavulanic Acids; D010919:Placebos; D019818:Clavulanic Acid; D000658:Amoxicillin; D010404:Penicillin V