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Community-Acquired Pneumonia - Duration of Antibiotic Therapy for Child

Purpose: To manage a pediatric patient with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).

Description

Bradley et al outlined options for managing a young pediatric patient with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). The duration of antibiotic therapy varies considerably and should be individualized for the patient. The authors are from the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society and the Infectious Diseases Society of America.


 

Patient selection: young pediatric patient with CAP

 

Duration of antibiotic therapy range from 3 to 4 days to 4 to 6 weeks, with 7 to 10 days often used for a routine infection.

 

Reasons to consider a longer course of antibiotic:

(1) problematic pathogen (MRSA, other)

(2) lung abscess

(3) empyema

(4) bacteremia, especially with secondary site

(5) severe and complicated illness

(6) impaired host defenses

 

Reasons to consider a shorter course of antibiotics:

(1) mild disease treated as outpatient

(2) susceptible organism

(3) clinically improved


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Specialty

Objective

ICD-10