title: A three-year population-based study of antibiotic treatments for children.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Agenzia Sanitaria Regionale Emilia-Romagna, Area rischio Infettivo, Bologna, Italy. cgagliotti@regione.emilia-romagna.it
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gagliotti
authors.forename: Filomena
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Morsillo
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Resi
authors.forename: Milena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Milandri
authors.forename: Maria Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Moro
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents