Antibiotic rashes in children: a survey in a private practice setting.
OBJECTIVE
To document the frequency and severity of various types of rashes seen with commonly used oral antibiotics in the pediatric outpatient setting.


METHODS
A retrospective review of 5923 patient records at a pediatric office.


METHODS
A private group pediatric practice in northern Virginia with about 12,000 registered active patients.


METHODS
Approximately 50% of the clinic medical records were reviewed. All children (defined as those aged 0-18 years in this study) identified on their medical records as having developed a rash following treatment with 1 or more of the commonly used oral antibiotics were included in the study. For further validation, a questionnaire about parental recollection of description of rash, other associated symptoms, physician verification, and outcome was mailed to families with children designated as being allergic to an antibiotic.


RESULTS
On a prescription basis, significantly more rashes were documented for cefaclor (4.79%) compared with penicillins (2.72%), sulfonamides (3. 46%), and other cephalosporins (1.04%). Based on the number of patients for whom each group of antibiotic was prescribed, the documented frequencies of rashes were 12.3%, 7.4%, 8.5%, and 2.6% for cefaclor, penicillins, sulfonamides, and other cephalosporins, respectively. None of the children had rashes severe enough to require hospitalization.


CONCLUSIONS
In a review of almost 6000 records in a private pediatric primary care setting, rashes occurred in 7.3% of children who were given the commonly used oral antibiotics. Significantly more rashes were documented with cefaclor use than with use of any of the other oral antibiotics.
Ibia
E O
EO
Department of Infectious Diseases, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
Schwartz
R H
RH
Wiedermann
B L
BL
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002433:Cefaclor / Q000009:adverse effects; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000209:etiology*; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010406:Penicillins / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000009:adverse effects
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002511:Cephalosporins; D010406:Penicillins; D013449:Sulfonamides; D002433:Cefaclor