Work

Short-course antibiotics can be just as effective for community-acquired pneumonia in children

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Oral antibiotics are one of the first-line treatments for bacterial community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children. There is emerging evidence that a shorter, 3–5 day course of antibiotics is just as effective in terms of cure rates as currently recommended courses (e.g. 5–10 days). However, limitations include uncertainties around the diagnosis of bacterial CAP and thus whether antibiotics are necessary for infection resolution, and that data mainly assessed children with non-severe CAP managed in outpatient settings. Thus, further research may be needed for guidelines to be updated to routinely recommend shorter antibiotic courses for bacterial CAP in children.

Source: Drugs & Therapy Perspectives

DOI: 10.1007/s40267-026-01218-z

Author: Connie Kang

Institution: Springer Nature (New Zealand)

Language: English

Topic: Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,490