Researchers reviewed the progress of 103 children who attended an emergency unit at an American hospital, and discovered that 19 had a bacterial infection. Of these, eight had a urinary tract infection, and two had pneumonia.
So prescribing antibiotics for fever is correct in 20 per cent of cases. The problem is in identifying the right ones.
(Source: Pediatrics, 2006; 118: 34-40).
E-news broadcast 31 August 2006 No.288 [Subscribe]