Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, Vol 17, No 2 (2012)

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Assessment of a new algorithm in the management of acute respiratory tract infections in children

Seyed Ahmad Tabatabaei, Seyed Alireza Fahimzad, Ahmad Reza Shamshiri, Farideh Shiva, Shadab Salehpor, SHirin Sayyahfar, Ghamartag Khanbabaei, Shahnaz Armin, Sedigheh Rafii Tabatabaei, Alireza khatami, Maryam Kadivar

Abstract


  • BACKGROUND: To assess the practicability of a new algorithm in decreasing the rate of incorrect diagnoses and inappropriate antibiotic usage in pediatric Acute Respiratory Tract Infection (ARTI(
  • METHODS: Children between 1 month to15 years brought to outpatient clinics of a children’s hospital with acute respiratory symptoms were managed according to the steps recommended in the algorithm.
  • RESULTS: Upper Respiratory Tract Infection, Lower Respiratory Tract Infection, and undifferentiated ARTI accounted for 82%, 14.5%, and 3.5% of 1 209 cases, respectively. Antibiotics were prescribed in 33%; for: Common cold, 4.1%; Sinusitis, 85.7%; Otitis media, 96.9%; Pharyngotonsillitis, 63.3%; Croup, 6.5%; Bronchitis, 15.6%; Pertussis-like syndrome, 82.1%; Bronchiolitis, 4.1%; and Pneumonia, 50%.
  • CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of the ARTIs algorithm is practicable and can help to reduce diagnostic errors and rate of antibiotic prescription  in children with ARTIs.
  • KEYWORDS: Acute Respiratory Tract Infection, Algorithm, Children

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