High prescribing rates of third-generation cephalosporins in children hospitalized with acute lower respiratory infections at a university hospital

Objective Antibiotics are frequently prescribed for the treatment of acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) in children ≤5 years of age, even though viral aetiologies are the most common. The aim of this study was to describe antibiotic prescribing rates and patterns in children ≤5 years of age hospitalized with ALRI. Methods A retrospective study was conducted involving patients aged 1 month to 5 years hospitalized with ALRI at a university hospital. Patient demographics, ALRI diagnosis, microbiological data, antibiotics prescribed, and treatment outcomes were recorded and analysed. Results A total of 1283 patients were enrolled. Their median age was 1.6 years (interquartile range 0.8–2.8 years). Thirty-six percent had a co-morbidity. The diagnosis at discharge was viral ALRI in 81% and bacterial pneumonia in 19%. The mortality rate was 0.4%. The overall antibiotic prescribing rate was 46% (95% confidence interval 43–49%). Antibiotic prescribing rates were higher among children with co-morbidities (65% vs 35%, p < 0.001) and older children (57% for >2–5 years vs 39% for ≤2 years, p < 0.001). Parenteral third-generation cephalosporins were prescribed in up to 68% of all prescriptions. Conclusions Nearly-half of hospitalized children with ALRI were prescribed antibiotics. The majority of prescribed antibiotics were third-generation cephalosporins. An antimicrobial stewardship programme and antibiotic guidelines should be implemented to promote the judicious use of antibiotics.