Recurrent antibiotic use in a small child and the effects on the family.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the typical characteristics of small children on recurrent therapy with antibiotics (RTA) and the effects RTA have on the families.


METHODS
Stratified randomised cluster sampling.


METHODS
An unselected population-based questionnaire study in Finland.


METHODS
Parents (n = 1443) expecting their first child were followed prospectively from the mother's early pregnancy until the child was 18 months of age.


METHODS
The outcome measure was the number of courses of antibiotic therapy (options: 011-51 > or = 6) during the child's first 18 months of life. Six or more courses were considered RTA. Associated variables were child- and family-related factors during the child's first 18 months of life.


RESULTS
Children on RTA were taken to see a physician more often than other children when they had fever or a common cold. RTA was significantly associated with the child's day care outside the home, allergy and need for a special diet. The father's severe stress was associated with the child's RTA. Breastfeeding lasting more than 3 months was found to have a protective effect against RTA.


CONCLUSIONS
The threshold for seeking medical help was low in the families of children on RTA, which is best avoided by breastfeeding and day care at home. Health care staff should not forget to support families, especially the fathers, with children experiencing recurrent infections.
Louhi-Pirkanniemi
Katri
K
Department of Public Health, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. katlou@netti.fi
Rautava
Päivi
P
Aromaa
Minna
M
Ojanlatva
Ansa
A
Mertsola
Jussi
J
Helenius
Hans
H
Sillanpää
Matti
M
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011247:Pregnancy; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012008:Recurrence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents