Factors Associated With Corticosteroid Treatment for Pediatric Acute Respiratory Tract Infections

J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2021 Dec 31;10(12):1101-1104. doi: 10.1093/jpids/piab082.

Abstract

Systemic corticosteroids are not recommended to treat children with acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs). Using data from a national commercial health care company, we found that corticosteroid treatment occurred in 3.2% of ARTI encounters. The adjusted odds of corticosteroid treatment were highest for bronchitis/bronchiolitis, in emergency departments, and in the South.

Keywords: acute respiratory tract infections; corticosteroids; practice guidelines.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bronchiolitis* / drug therapy
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Respiratory Tract Infections* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents