OBJECTIVE: To determine whether prophylactic, short-term penicillin V treatment during upper respiratory tract infections can prevent the occurrence of recurrent acute otitis media in young children. METHODS:Seventy children were studied in a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. All children had suffered their first episode of acute otitis media before the age of 6 months. After inclusion in the study group, administration of penicillin V or placebo was initiated by the parents at subsequent upper respiratory tract infections. The children were examined by otomicroscopy within 3 days after treatment was initiated. The children were scheduled for a total follow-up period of 12 months, including bimonthly visits for check-up irrespective of treatment periods. RESULTS: There were 304 treated episodes of upper respiratory tract infection. There was no significant difference in the number of acute otitis episodes between groups. CONCLUSION: Initiation of penicillin V prophylaxis at upper respiratory tract infection in small children did not prevent recurrent acute otitis media in this study.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether prophylactic, short-term penicillin V treatment during upper respiratory tract infections can prevent the occurrence of recurrent acute otitis media in young children. METHODS: Seventy children were studied in a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. All children had suffered their first episode of acute otitis media before the age of 6 months. After inclusion in the study group, administration of penicillin V or placebo was initiated by the parents at subsequent upper respiratory tract infections. The children were examined by otomicroscopy within 3 days after treatment was initiated. The children were scheduled for a total follow-up period of 12 months, including bimonthly visits for check-up irrespective of treatment periods. RESULTS: There were 304 treated episodes of upper respiratory tract infection. There was no significant difference in the number of acute otitis episodes between groups. CONCLUSION: Initiation of penicillin V prophylaxis at upper respiratory tract infection in small children did not prevent recurrent acute otitis media in this study.
Authors: Elisabeth Autret-Leca; Bruno Giraudeau; Marie Joseph Ployet; Annie-Pierre Jonville-Béra Journal: Br J Clin Pharmacol Date: 2002-12 Impact factor: 4.335