title: Systematic review of evidence-based guidelines on medication therapy for upper respiratory tract infection in children with AGREE instrument.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To summarize recommendations of existing guidelines on the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in children, and to assess the methodological quality of these guidelines.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched seven databases and web sites of relevant academic agencies. Evidence-based guidelines on pediatric URTIs were included. AGREE II was used to assess the quality of these guidelines. Two researchers selected guidelines independently and extracted information on publication years, institutions, target populations, recommendations, quality of evidence, and strength of recommendations. We compared the similarities and differences of recommendations and their strength. We also analyzed the reasons for variation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen guidelines meeting our inclusion criteria were included. Huge differences existed among these 13 guidelines concerning the categorization of evidence and recommendations. Nearly all of these guidelines lacked the sufficient involvement of stake holders. Further, the applicability of these guidelines still needs to be improved. In terms of recommendations, penicillin and amoxicillin were suggested for group A streptococcal pharyngitis. Amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanate were recommended for acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS). An observation of 2-3 days prior to antibiotic therapy initiation for mild acute otitis media (AOM) was recommended with amoxicillin as the suggested first choice agent. Direct evidence to support strong recommendations on the therapy for influenza is still lacking. In addition, the antimicrobial durations for pharyngitis and ABRS were still controversial. No consensus was reached for the onset of antibiotics for ABRS in children.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Future guidelines should use a consistent grading system for the quality of evidence and strength of recommendations. More effort needs to be paid to seek the preference of stake holders and to improve the applicability of guidelines. Further, there are still areas in pediatric URTIs that need more research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China ; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Sichuan, China ; Evidence-Based Pharmacy Centre, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Linan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China ; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Sichuan, China ; Evidence-Based Pharmacy Centre, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Lingli
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China ; West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Zhiqiang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, The Nebraska Medical Centre, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America.
authors.forename: Emily A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Ehle
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China ; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Sichuan, China ; Evidence-Based Pharmacy Centre, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China ; West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Lili
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China ; West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China.
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents