A three-year population-based study of antibiotic treatments for children.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the use of systemic antibiotics in the paediatric population of the Emilia-Romagna region (Italy) during the period 2000-2002.


METHODS
Data were extracted from the drug prescription database of Emilia-Romagna.


RESULTS
Treatment rates were within the range 1016-1151 treatments per 1000 children-years, according to the observed year. Chephalosporins were the most prescribed antibiotic class.


CONCLUSIONS
The paediatric population of Emilia-Romagna is heavily exposed to systemic antibiotics. Further studies are needed to find out determinants of antibiotic overuse.
Gagliotti
Carlo
C
Agenzia Sanitaria Regionale Emilia-Romagna, Area rischio Infettivo, Bologna, Italy. cgagliotti@regione.emilia-romagna.it
Morsillo
Filomena
F
Resi
Davide
D
Milandri
Milena
M
Moro
Maria Luisa
ML
D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents