Does It Need to Be IV? Postdischarge Antibiotic Treatment of Complicated Pneumonia

Completion of antibiotic therapy following hospital discharge for complicated pneumonia (presence of pleural effusion, empyema, or lung abscess) in children is commonly administered via a peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC) line, although oral antibiotics are frequently used for postdischarge therapy completion in other serious bacterial infections.

In a multicenter retrospective cohort study, researchers compared the effectiveness and complication outcomes of intravenous (IV) versus oral antibiotic administration following hospitalization for complicated pediatric pneumonia. They utilized administrative hospital data and medical records for 2123 children (aged ≥2 months and <18 years) discharged with complicated pneumonia f…