Between 1997 and 2010, antibiotics were prescribed during 60% of pediatric visits for pharyngitis even though the minority of cases are caused by bacteria. Further, 40% of prescriptions were for inappropriate antibiotics.
Sore throat is a common reason for pediatric healthcare visits. Most cases of pharyngitis in children are caused by viral infections, and approximately 37% are caused by group A Streptococcus (GAS). Narrow-spectrum antibiotics (penicillin or amoxicillin) are the recommended first-line treatment for GAS pharyngitis. CDC researchers analyzed data from two national surveys of ambulatory care visits to examine antibiotic prescribing for pharyngitis in children aged 3 to 17 years.
Between 1997 and 2010, they identified nearly 12 million pediatric visits for pharyngitis annually. Most visits (70%) were in children younger than 12 years. Despite the knowledge that the majority of pharyngitis cases are caused by viral infection, antibiotics were pre…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH Institutional Clinical and Translational Science Award; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality National Center for Pediatric Practice Based Research Learning; Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
Editorial BoardsCurrent Problems in Pediatric Adolescent Healthcare
Leadership Positions in Professional Societies College of Physicians of Philadelphia (Board of Trustees)
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH Institutional Clinical and Translational Science Award; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality National Center for Pediatric Practice Based Research Learning; Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
Editorial BoardsCurrent Problems in Pediatric Adolescent Healthcare
Leadership Positions in Professional Societies College of Physicians of Philadelphia (Board of Trustees)