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Finnish Healthcare Professionals' Online Searches for Paediatric Oral Antibiotics: COVID ‐19 Impact, 2017–2023

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: AIM: This study explores the trends in healthcare professionals' searches for children's oral suspension of antibiotics and antibiotic prescriptions, as well as COVID-19 diagnoses in children under 5-6 years of age. METHODS: In Finland, Physician's Databases serve as a medical online source for healthcare professionals. Searches for seven oral suspensions of antibiotics (amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, phenoxymethylpenicillin, cephalexin, azithromycin, clarithromycin and erythromycin) were analysed in 2017-2023, alongside children's antibiotic prescriptions from the Social Insurance Institution, as well as children's COVID-19 diagnoses from the register of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare. RESULTS: There were 1 231 383 antibiotic searches, 492 407 antibiotic prescriptions and 42 293 diagnoses for COVID-19 in children. Amoxicillin was searched most (498 276) with clear seasonal patterns, and the decrease appeared in searches and prescriptions during March 2020-August 2021. Amoxicillin searches also showed an increase with two major peaks during September 2021-August 2023. CONCLUSION: Healthcare professionals' online information-seeking for children's oral suspension of antibiotics showed a great decrease in searches after the start of COVID-19 but rapidly increased 2 years later. Information-seeking behaviour may be used to monitor the clinical use of antibiotics in children.

Source: Acta Paediatrica

DOI: 10.1111/apa.70352

Authors: M. Mukka, O. Helve, P. Mustonen, M. Kaila, S. Pesälä