CDC: Antibiotics are Leading Cause of ED Visits for Adverse Drug Events in Children

Aug 23, 2018 | Kim Rodgers

Recently, in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, authors from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that antibiotics are the leading cause of emergency department (ED) visits for adverse drug events in children. Antibiotics save lives and are critical tools for treating infections, like those that can lead to sepsis, but they can lead to adverse drug events. The CDC study estimates that 70,000 children 19 years or younger visited the ED for antibiotic-related adverse drug events each year from 2011–2015. Many of these ED visits (41%) were made by children 2 years or younger. Most visits (86%) involved allergic reactions, such as rash, pruritus (itching), and angioedema (severe swelling beneath the skin).

Three Things to Know

  • Each year, nearly 1 in 400 children aged 2 years or younger visit the ED because of reactions to antibiotics.
  • Healthcare providers can protect their patients by carefully weighing the risks and benefits of prescribing an antibiotic and by only prescribing antibiotics when they are necessary.
  • Improving the way healthcare providers prescribe antibiotics—and the way patients use antibiotics—helps keep patients healthy now, helps fight antibiotic resistance, and ensures that these life-saving drugs will work when they’re needed most.

Learn more.


About Kim Rodgers

Pronouns: She/Her

Kim Rodgers was formerly the Communications Manager at NACCHO.

More posts by Kim Rodgers

Related Posts

I Stock 1182682774
  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
  • Behavioral Health
  • Community Health
  • Injury and Violence Prevention

Seeking LHD Participants for an Intersectional Data...

With support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NACCHO is...

Mar 28, 2024 | Camille Adams

Seeking LHD Participants for an Intersectional Data...

World TB Day 2024 1
  • ID Featured
  • Infectious Disease
  • Tuberculosis

Recognizing World TB Day 2024: The Role of Local Health...

LHDs across the nation actively work to eliminate TB through surveillance, case...

Mar 21, 2024 | Kimberly Nalley

Recognizing World TB Day 2024: The Role of Local Health...

I Stock 1318852282
  • COVID-19
  • Immunization
  • Infectious Disease
  • Influenza

Maternal and Child Vaccine Safety - Enhancing Vaccine...

After conducting a Rapid Community Assessment (RCA), in collaboration with the...

Mar 19, 2024 | Victoria Thompson, Clarissa Montes

Maternal and Child Vaccine Safety - Enhancing Vaccine...

Measles Blog 1
  • Tools & Resources
  • Community Health
  • ID Featured
  • Immunization

The Current Status of Measles in the US + Resources to...

This resource round-up aims to help local health departments and healthcare...

Mar 18, 2024 | Irene Halferty, Emma James, Victoria Thompson, Amy Maxson, Robin Mowson

The Current Status of Measles in the US + Resources to...

1

Building Community Resilience Through Maternal and Child...

NACCHO, with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s...

Mar 15, 2024 | Elana Filipos

Building Community Resilience Through Maternal and Child...

  • HIV, STI, & Viral Hepatitis

CDC Study Reveals Increase in Overdoses Associated with...

A recent CDC study demonstrates a need for LHDs and other local harm reduction...

Mar 14, 2024 | Kat Kelley, Anjana Rao, Grace Murtha

CDC Study Reveals Increase in Overdoses Associated with...

1

Bridging Maternal-Child Health (MCH), Infectious Disease...

Funded through the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National...

Mar 12, 2024 | Elana Filipos

Bridging Maternal-Child Health (MCH), Infectious Disease...

Thumbnail youtube
  • Tools & Resources
  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

NACCHO Releases “Community Partnerships to Prevent...

The National Association of County and City Health Officials is pleased to...

Mar 12, 2024 | Camille Adams

NACCHO Releases “Community Partnerships to Prevent...

1
  • Maternal, Child, & Adolescent Health

NACCHO Provides Funding to Local Health Departments to...

The Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health team has selected 14 new local...

Mar 11, 2024 | Ryanna Quazi

NACCHO Provides Funding to Local Health Departments to...

Back to Top