[Antibiotic treatment of acute otitis in children]

Abstract

Treatment of acute otitis is one of the most common reasons for prescribing antibiotics for children. Recent studies have shown no, or only a small, effect of antibiotic treatment of this condition. We examined the files from the City of Tromsø's Emergency Department, which catchment area includes about 12,300 children under the age of 15. During the period from March 1997 to May 1998, 784 children presented with acute otitis, 91.5% of whom received antibiotic treatment. The most frequently drug used drug was penicillin V. Even if there are no or only a small effect of antibiotic treatment of this condition, most children receive such treatment. This study will give baseline data for new studies aimed at reducing the use of antibiotics.