Antibiotics, like adults, are commonly prescribed for pediatric patients. However, evidence suggests that almost 33% of pediatric antibiotic prescriptions are unnecessary. Furthermore, the recent clinical findings demonstrate that the side effects of antibiotics are clinically significant and consequential for children. According to a recent study, the majority of children who are prescribed antibiotics have an adverse drug reaction to an unnecessary antibiotic prescription.
Almost 40% of these children are 2 years old or younger. Considering the risks of adverse drug events associated with antibiotics, especially in pediatric patients, is the need of the hour. Source: Maribeth C Lovegrove, et al; US Emergency Department Visits for Adverse Drug Events From Antibiotics in Children, 2011–2015, Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, piy066,
