Antibiotics are not recommended for treating uncomplicated respiratory tract infections in children: a new study published in The Lancet has shown that they are practically useless.
According to Medportal.ru, in the treatment of bronchitis, tonsillitis, pneumonia, otitis media and other diseases in both adults and children, amoxicillin (amoxiclav), a semi-synthetic antibacterial agent from the group of penicillins, is often prescribed.
Scientists from the University of Southampton have found that the appointment of amoxicillin for uncomplicated respiratory tract infections in children in cases where there is no suspicion of pneumonia is unjustified.
The study included 432 children aged 6 months to 12 years from England and Wales, who were receiving outpatient treatment for upper respiratory tract infections with moderately severe symptoms. Small patients were randomly divided into two groups, in one of them children received amoxicillin three times a day for seven days, in the other – a placebo. Doctors and nurses assessed symptoms at the beginning of therapy, and parents filled out a daily diary of observation of the child’s condition.
As a result, the scientists found that children in both groups recovered at about the same time – the difference averaged 13%, that is, clinically insignificant. Moreover, there were no significant differences in the duration of symptoms in children with the most severe symptoms – high fever, shortness of breath, and wheezing in the chest.
That is why it is not recommended to prescribe the above antibiotic to children.
The scientists also noted that antibiotic resistance is becoming a global problem and it is very important to avoid overuse.