The pattern of antibiotic administration for toddlers and infants with acute respiratory infections (Mashhad- Iran)

ABSTRACT Background: Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are the main cause for antibiotic (AB) use in all age groups specially the first two years of life. The local information about the pattern of AB prescription in ARI is a necessary part for any program which aims logical use of AB. The current study was designed to find the frequency and types of AB administration for ARI in young children (<2years) in Mashhad, Iran. Method: This is an observational cohort study which was started in November 2005 and ended up at May 2006. The study group was composed of 1000 infants between 6 month and 20 months old. The children were followed monthly by telephone calls (up to six month after the first interview) and were asked about signs and symptoms of acute respiratory infection and systemic antibiotic use during each month. Results: The average monthly incidence of ARI was 34.5% in the study population, 66.3 %( mean) of the children with ARI were visited by a doctor, which led to AB prescription in 32.7 %( mean) of times. The frequency of inject able antibiotics was almost two times of oral Abs, and benzatin penicillin was the most prescribed AB (54%of all Abs). Conclusion: The rate of AB administration for infants with ARI is not very high in Mashad, but the frequency of AB injections is unacceptable