Loading...
The recommended duration of antimicrobial therapy for acute otitis media in children has historically been 10 days. However, the recognition that shorter courses could significantly reduce antibiotic use and thus possibly reduce antibiotic resistance has led to several studies examining shorter courses.
In a prospective, double-blind trial, 520 children aged 6–23 months with acute otitis media were randomized to receive amoxicillin-clavulanate (90.0 mg/kg amoxicillin and 6.4 mg/kg clavulanate) for 10 days or amoxicillin-clavulanate for 5 days followed by 5 days of placebo. Children were assessed on days 4, 5, or 6 by telephone conversation with parents, who rated daily otitis-related symptoms, and they were seen in clinic after treatment end…