Cefuroxime axetil versus placebo for children with acute respiratory infection and imaging evidence of sinusitis: a randomized, controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of antibiotic treatment in children who presented in medical care with respiratory infection and had imaging evidence of sinusitis.


METHODS
Eighty-two children (4-10 y) with acute respiratory symptoms and ultrasonography findings suggestive of acute rhinosinusitis were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind trial. The sinus findings were confirmed with plain radiographs. The children received either cefuroxime axetil in 125-mg capsules twice a day for 10 d or placebo. Main outcome measures were complete cure in 2 wk and absence of prolonged symptoms or complications.


RESULTS
A total of 72 children (88%) completed follow-up. The sinusitis findings in the ultrasound could be confirmed with plain radiographs in 65 of the 72 patients (90%). The proportion of children completely cured by day 14 was similar in both groups (difference 6%, 95% confidence interval -16% to 29%). Similarly, there was no significant difference in the proportions of children who escaped prolonged disease and complications between the groups (difference 7%, -9% to 24%).


CONCLUSIONS
A 10-d course of cefuroxime axetil offered no clinical benefit to children with an acute respiratory illness and imaging evidence of acute sinusitis.
Kristo
Aila
A
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. aila.kristo@oulu.fi
Uhari
Matti
M
Luotonen
Jukka
J
Ilkko
Eero
E
Koivunen
Petri
P
Alho
Olli-Pekka
OP
D000208:Acute Disease; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002444:Cefuroxime / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010919:Placebos; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010919:Placebos; D002444:Cefuroxime; C040738:cefuroxime axetil