The use of antibiotics for preventing lower respiratory tract infections in at risk children less than 12 years old

BTS Clinical Statement on the prevention and management of community-acquired pneumonia in people with learning disability

“…Currently, there is no direct evidence that prophylactic antibiotics reduce the frequency or severity of CAP in people with learning disability88 although a large randomised trial in children with neurological impairment is currently ongoing 89. However, the statement group agreed that enteral prophylactic antibiotics should be considered in patients with frequent pneumonia, following assessment/management of modifiable risk factors for CAP and appraisal of individual circumstances including frequency of infection (particularly three or more episodes of CAP or two or more hospitalisations per year), degree of neurological impairment and the patient’s/carers’ informed views 16.…”

Mahaenggamseok-tang, a herbal medicine, for lower respiratory tract infections in pediatric patients

“…[ 7 ] In the US, 70,000 pediatric patients visit the emergency department for antibiotic-related adverse events annually, and 86.1% of these patients have allergic reactions. [ 8 ] In addition, previous studies have reported that antibiotics have no major benefits against LRTIs in patients [ 9 ] ; moreover, the overuse of antibiotics can lead to bacterial resistance. [ 10 , 11 ] The treatment of diseases with herbal medicines is regarded as a safer and more effective therapeutic approach than treatment with antibiotics.…”