Disproportionate Exposure to Antibiotics in Children at Risk for Invasive Pneumococcal Disease: Potential for Emerging Resistance and Opportunity for Antibiotic Stewardship

We compared antibiotic prescribing for children with and those without an underlying chronic condition associated with increased risk for invasive pneumococcal disease. Children with a chronic condition had significantly greater cumulative exposure to antibiotics and higher rates of prescriptions per person-year than those without a chronic condition; this population is at increased risk for the emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens.