Race and Antibiotic Use for Children Hospitalized With Acute Respiratory Infections

J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2024 Apr 24;13(4):237-241. doi: 10.1093/jpids/piae021.

Abstract

We sought to evaluate whether children hospitalized with acute respiratory infections experienced differences in antibiotic use by race and ethnicity. We found that likelihood of broad-spectrum antibiotic receipt differed across racial and ethnic groups. Future work should confirm this finding, evaluate causes, and ensure equitable antibiotic use.

Keywords: antibiotic use; health equity; inpatient; pediatric antimicrobial stewardship.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adolescent
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Ethnicity
  • Female
  • Hospitalization* / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Racial Groups
  • Respiratory Tract Infections* / drug therapy
  • Respiratory Tract Infections* / ethnology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents