1069 THE UNPRESCRIBED USE OF ANTIBIOTICS IN CHILDREN ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL

Abstract

We have previously reported that approximately 7% of childrer who present for medical care with common respiratory illnesses are already being treated with unprescribed antibiotics. The purpose of the present study is to determine the incidence of antibiotic abuse(self-medication with unprescribed antibiotics) in children with more serious febrile illnesses. It is anticipated that we will have 400 patients by 4/85. To date we have collected information and urine samples at the time of admission from 104 febrile patients. 8 of 104 (7.69%) children were found to have antibacterial activity in the urine as determined by bioassay. Of the 8 positive specimens only 2 were from children whose care takers admitted to antibiotic abuse. One received erythromycin and the other penicillin. Sources of antibiotic were sibling's erythromycin and amoxicillin from a previous illness. Data related to 1) duration of illness, 2) patient age, 3) symptom categories (URI, Pneumonia, Asthma, Gastroenteritis, Sepsis, Fever), 4) similar illness in the past, 5) presence of siblings, 6) primary care taker's marital status, 7) and employment were analyzed statistically. The incidence of abuse was significantly higher in the asthmatics (P .01) and no correlation was demonstrated to incidence of abuse and other mentioned variables. We conclude that antibiotic abuse is a significant problem and questioning was not a reliable abuse direction technique. The incidence of abuse in this study is similar to previously reported incidence in outpatients from a different geographical area.

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