Although there has been an overall decrease in population-based and visit-based antibiotic prescribing rates for children from 1993-1994 to 2007-2008, inappropriate prescribing rates for children are still too high, according to recent research from the CDC.
The CDC's analysis found that antibiotic prescribing rates for children aged 14 and younger who had visited physician offices decreased 24 percent from 1993-1994 to 2007-2008.
However, 58 percent of the antibiotics prescribed in the office setting in 2007-2008 were for five acute respiratory infections, most episodes of which do not require antibiotic treatment. The CDC also found prescribing rates for otitis media has not decreased significantly, despite the American Academy of Pediatrics 2004 release of guidelines recommending watchful waiting for otherwise healthy children.
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The CDC's analysis found that antibiotic prescribing rates for children aged 14 and younger who had visited physician offices decreased 24 percent from 1993-1994 to 2007-2008.
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However, 58 percent of the antibiotics prescribed in the office setting in 2007-2008 were for five acute respiratory infections, most episodes of which do not require antibiotic treatment. The CDC also found prescribing rates for otitis media has not decreased significantly, despite the American Academy of Pediatrics 2004 release of guidelines recommending watchful waiting for otherwise healthy children.
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