Study: Antibiotics Are Leading Cause of ED Visits for Adverse Drug Events in Kids

In children, antibiotics are the leading cause of emergency department visits for adverse drug events, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study published recently in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society. The study estimates that 70,000 children 19 years or younger visited the ED for antibiotic-related adverse drug events each year from 2011–2015. Antibiotics save lives and are critical tools for treating infections, but they can lead to adverse drug events. The American Hospital Association has compiled a number of resources on antibiotic stewardship, including a toolkit developed in collaboration with CDC and others. In addition, see the CDC factsheet about antibiotic use.