Published in:
01-11-2018 | Original Article
Comparison of Four Days Versus Seven Days Duration of Antibiotic Therapy for Neonatal Pneumonia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Published in: Indian Journal of Pediatrics | Issue 11/2018
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Objective
To compare the effect of 4 day course (study group) with 7 day course (control group) of antibiotic treatment in neonatal pneumonia, on treatment success rate.
Methods
This randomized controlled trial was conducted in a tertiary teaching hospital. Seventy, term and near-term neonates with pneumonia who had clinical remission by 48 h of antibiotic therapy were included. The neonates were randomized to receive a total of 4 d of antibiotics (Group 1) or 7 d of antibiotics (Group 2). The outcome measure was treatment failure in each group within 3 d of discharge.
Results
The treatment success rate of both the groups was 100%. There was a significant reduction in the duration of hospital stay (p < 0.001), antibiotic usage (p < 0.001), and cost (p < 0.001) in the 4 d group. On follow up till 28 d of enrollment, no infective morbidity was found in either group.
Conclusions
For term and near-term neonates who become clinically asymptomatic within 48 h of antibiotic therapy, 4 d of antibiotic therapy is as effective and safe as 7 d of antibiotic therapy, with significant reduction in hospital stay, antibiotic usage and cost.