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. 2020 Apr 30;9(2):248-252.
doi: 10.1093/jpids/piz026.

Diagnostic Testing and Antibiotic Use in Young Children With Community-Acquired Pneumonia in the United States, 2008-2015

Todd A Florin  1   2 , Terri Byczkowski  3   4 , Jeffrey S Gerber  5   6 , Richard Ruddy  3   4 , Nathan Kuppermann  7
Affiliations

Diagnostic Testing and Antibiotic Use in Young Children With Community-Acquired Pneumonia in the United States, 2008-2015

Todd A Florin et al. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. .

Abstract

Diagnostic testing and antibiotics are not routinely recommended for young children with community-acquired pneumonia. In a national sample of >6 million outpatient 1- to 6-year-olds with community-acquired pneumonia between 2008 and 2015, a complete blood count was obtained for 8.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.1%-11.1%), radiography was performed for 43% (95% CI, 36%-50%), and antibiotics were given for 73.9% (95% CI, 67.1%-80.7%). There were no changes in testing or antibiotic use over time.

Keywords: antibiotics; children; diagnostic testing; pneumonia; radiography.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Weighted proportions of complete blood count, chest radiography, and antibiotic use for outpatient young children with community-acquired pneumonia in the United States according to year. (a) Complete blood count; (b) chest radiography; (c) blood cultures; (d) any antibiotics; (e) narrow-spectrum antibiotics. Error bars, 95% confidence interval; dotted line, year of Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society/Infectious Diseases Society of America pediatric CAP guideline publication (2011).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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