Outcome of upper respiratory tract infections in healthy children: Antibiotic stewardship in treatment of acute upper respiratory tract infections

摘要

Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the outcome of upper respiratory tract infections(URTI) in healthy children.Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on 314 children aged 3-36 months in the paediatricoutpatient clinic and emergency department with symptoms of URTI (fever, cough, rhinorrhoea) for ≤5days. Patient’s demographics, clinical features, laboratory data and outcome were recorded. Follow upphone calls were made to parents on day 7 (response 93.6%) and day 14 (response 94.6%) to record outcome.Results: A total of 314 children with URTIs were included. Majority (57.6%) were males and 1year of age(40%). Common manifestations of URTI were fever (89%), cough (79%), rhinorrhoea (62%), pharyngitis (79%)and conjunctivitis (46%). More than half (53%) had history of contact with URTI in a family member. Meanduration of symptoms was 2.7±1.3 days. Majority (93%) of children were given supportive treatment andonly 6.7% received antibiotics initially. Most of children (76%) recovered within one week and 91.8% withintwo weeks with supportive care only. Only 4% children were hospitalized and 12% required follow up visitof which 16% needed oral antibiotics. Complications or deaths did not occur.Conclusions: Majority of URTIs in healthy children resolved with supportive treatment and do not requireantibiotics. Antibiotic stewardship in simple URTIs should be practiced using awareness and advocacycampaigns.