Trajectories of antibiotic prescriptions in Italian children in the first four years of life: a retrospective birth-cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Antibiotics are among the most frequently prescribed medications for pediatric patients. Inappropriate use, particularly in the first years of life, can contribute to the development of antibiotic resistances and impact the maturation of the gut microbiome. Describing prescription patterns using nationally collected data is essential for identifying or monitoring existing strategies for reducing excessive use. This study aims to identify antibiotic prescription trajectories during the first four years of life and to investigate their association with sociodemographic factors.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we used data collected through the Pedianet registry, a monitoring system involving approximately 200 family pediatricians (FPs) in Italy. We consi

SUBMITTER: Rosato I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12838180 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature