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Comparison of Four Days Versus Seven Days Duration of Antibiotic Therapy for Neonatal Pneumonia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

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Abstract

Objective

To compare the effect of 4 day course (study group) with 7 day course (control group) of antibiotic treatment in neonatal pneumonia, on treatment success rate.

Methods

This randomized controlled trial was conducted in a tertiary teaching hospital. Seventy, term and near-term neonates with pneumonia who had clinical remission by 48 h of antibiotic therapy were included. The neonates were randomized to receive a total of 4 d of antibiotics (Group 1) or 7 d of antibiotics (Group 2). The outcome measure was treatment failure in each group within 3 d of discharge.

Results

The treatment success rate of both the groups was 100%. There was a significant reduction in the duration of hospital stay (p < 0.001), antibiotic usage (p < 0.001), and cost (p < 0.001) in the 4 d group. On follow up till 28 d of enrollment, no infective morbidity was found in either group.

Conclusions

For term and near-term neonates who become clinically asymptomatic within 48 h of antibiotic therapy, 4 d of antibiotic therapy is as effective and safe as 7 d of antibiotic therapy, with significant reduction in hospital stay, antibiotic usage and cost.

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Contributions

NBM conceptualized and designed the study, finalized the manuscript and is guarantor of the paper. AM was involved in acquisition of data and drafted the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neonatology, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India

    N. B. Mathur

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India

    A. Murugesan

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  1. N. B. Mathur
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  2. A. Murugesan
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Correspondence to N. B. Mathur.

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Mathur, N.B., Murugesan, A. Comparison of Four Days Versus Seven Days Duration of Antibiotic Therapy for Neonatal Pneumonia: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Indian J Pediatr 85, 963–967 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-018-2708-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-018-2708-y

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