# Pattern of Antibiotic Use Among Children With Acute Respiratory Infections in Saudi Arabia: Clinical Assessment

## TL;DR

This study examines antibiotic use in children with respiratory infections in Saudi Arabia, finding that antibiotics are often unnecessary and should only be used for bacterial infections.

## Contribution

The study provides insights into antibiotic prescription patterns for pediatric respiratory infections in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the need for better diagnostic practices.

## Key findings

- Bronchopneumonia was the most common respiratory disease, diagnosed in 39.1% of participants.
- Antibiotics were prescribed in 46.32% of cases only when bacterial infections were present.
- The study highlights the overuse of antibiotics for viral respiratory infections in children.

## Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the common clinical diagnoses and treatment management of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in children and determine when antibiotics are recommended and prescribed.

Methods: A retrospective review of medical charts was carried out at King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Medical City (KSAMC) Hospital to assess pediatric patients diagnosed with ARIs aged 0-14 years, excluding those requiring antibiotics for conditions other than ARIs. Data, including demographic diagnoses and treatment management, were extracted using consecutive sampling, and statistical analyses were conducted using Jamovi software.

Results: A total of 285 pediatric patients were included, with a median age of 3 (IQR = 1-6) years and a male predominance of 59.2%. Bronchopneumonia was the most common respiratory disease, diagnosed in 39.1% of participants. The median durations for illness and hospital admission were four and three days, respectively. Clinical evaluations showed an average respiratory rate of 28±10.5 breaths per minute and a mean oxygen saturation of 96.4±3.46% through pulse oximetry. The use of antibiotics was commonly prescribed in ARI patients only when accompanied by certain bacterial infections (46.32%).

Conclusions: ARIs are a common viral health issue among children, emphasizing that not all ARIs in children are caused by bacteria and that antibiotics should only be used when there is a bacterial infection present. Enhanced diagnostic precision, patient awareness, and provider education are the global community's recommendations to prevent the presence of antibiotic resistance and the irrational use of antibiotics.