<p>Antibiotic stewardship programs proved to be effective in improving prescribing appropriateness. This multicenter quasi-experimental study, aimed to assesses the stewardship impact on antibiotics prescribing in different semesters from 2014 to 2019 in three pediatric emergency departments (Center A, B, and C) in Italy. All consecutive patients diagnosed with acute otitis media or pharyngitis were evaluated for inclusion. Two different stewardship were adopted: for Center A and B, clinical pathways were implemented and disseminated, and yearly lectures were held, for Center C, only pathways were implemented. Broad-spectrum prescription rates decreased significantly by 80% for pharyngitis and 29.5 to 55.2% for otitis after the implementation. In Center C, rates gradually increased from the year after the implementation. Amoxicillin dosage adjusted to pharyngitis recommendations in Center C (53.7 vs. 51.6 mg/kg/die; = 0.011) and otitis recommendations in Center A increasing from 50.0 to 75.0 mg/kg/die ( &lt; 0.001). Days of therapy in children &lt; 24 months with otitis increased from 8.0 to 10.0 in Center A, while in older children decreased in Center A (8.0 vs. 7.0; &lt; 0.001) and Center B (10.0 vs. 8.0; &lt; 0.001). Clinical pathways combined with educational lectures is a feasible and sustainable program in reducing broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribing with stable rates over time.</p>

<p><strong>Background </strong>Appropriate perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis (PAP) is essential to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs) and to avoid antibiotics misuse.</p>

<p><strong>Aim </strong>The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of an antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP), based on a clinical pathway (CP) and periodic education, to improve adherence to the guidelines for PAP in a tertiary care pediatric surgery center.</p>

<p><strong>Methods </strong>We assessed the changes in PAP correctness and its effect on SSIs between the six months before and the 24 months after the implementation of ASP in the Pediatric Surgery Unit of the Department of Women's and Children's Health of Padova. The ASP was addressed to all surgeons and anesthesiologists of the Pediatric Surgery Unit. The primary outcome was appropriateness of PAP (agent, timing of the first dose, and duration). SSI rate was the secondary outcome.</p>

<p><strong>Results </strong>1771 patients were included in the study and 676 received PAP. The overall correctness of the PAP, in terms of agent, timing, and duration, increased significantly after the CP implementation. What changed most was the PAP discontinuation within 24 h ( &lt; 0.001). Cefazolin was the most used antibiotic, with a significant increase in the post-intervention period ( &lt; 0.001) and with a reduction in the use of other broad-spectrum antibiotics. No variations in the incidence of SSIs were reported in the five periods ( = 0.958).</p>

<p><strong>Conclusion </strong>The implementation of an ASP based on CP and education is an effective and sustainable antimicrobial stewardship tool for improving the correct use of PAP.</p>

BACKGROUND: Antibiotics are the most common medicines prescribed to children in hospitals and the community, with a high proportion of potentially inappropriate use. Antibiotic misuse increases the risk of toxicity, raises healthcare costs, and selection of resistance. The primary aim of this systematic review is to summarize the current state of evidence of the implementation and outcomes of pediatric antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) globally.

METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched to identify studies reporting on ASP in children aged 0-18 years and conducted in outpatient or in-hospital settings. Three investigators independently reviewed identified articles for inclusion and extracted relevant data.

RESULTS: Of the 41,916 studies screened, 113 were eligible for inclusion in this study. Most of the studies originated in the USA (52.2%), while a minority were conducted in Europe (24.7%) or Asia (17.7%). Seventy-four (65.5%) studies used a before-and-after design, and sixteen (14.1%) were randomized trials. The majority (81.4%) described in-hospital ASPs with half of interventions in mixed pediatric wards and ten (8.8%) in emergency departments. Only sixteen (14.1%) studies focused on the costs of ASPs. Almost all the studies (79.6%) showed a significant reduction in inappropriate prescriptions. Compliance after ASP implementation increased. Sixteen of the included studies quantified cost savings related to the intervention with most of the decreases due to lower rates of drug administration. Seven studies showed an increased susceptibility of the bacteria analysed with a decrease in extended spectrum beta-lactamase producers E. coli and K. pneumoniae; a reduction in the rate of P. aeruginosa carbapenem resistance subsequent to an observed reduction in the rate of antimicrobial days of therapy; and, in two studies set in outpatient setting, an increase in erythromycin-sensitive S. pyogenes following a reduction in the use of macrolides.

CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric ASPs have a significant impact on the reduction of targeted and empiric antibiotic use, healthcare costs, and antimicrobial resistance in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Pediatric ASPs are now widely implemented in the USA, but considerable further adaptation is required to facilitate their uptake in Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa.

<p><strong>OBJECTIVES: </strong>To determine risk factors for complications in children with Staphylococcus aureus (S aureus) bacteremia, including methicillin resistance.</p>

<p><strong>STUDY DESIGN: </strong>Single center, retrospective cohort study of children ≤18&nbsp;years of age hospitalized with S aureus bacteremia. We compared clinical characteristics and outcomes between those with methicillin-sensitive S aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA) bacteremia. Multivariate regression models identified risk factors associated with developing complications and with longer duration of bacteremia.</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>We identified 394 episodes of S aureus bacteremia, 279 (70.8%) with MSSA, and 115 (29.2%) with MRSA. Primary site of infection was catheter-related in 34%, musculoskeletal in 30%, skin/soft tissue in 10.2%, pneumonia in 6.4%, and endovascular in 6.6%. Eight children (2.0%) died within 30&nbsp;days because of S aureus bacteremia, 15 (3.5%) had recurrence within 30&nbsp;days, and 38 (9.6%) had complications including septic emboli or a metastatic focus of infection. Methicillin resistance was associated with development of a complication (aOR 3.31; 95% CI 1.60-6.85), and catheter-related infections were less likely to be associated with a complication (aOR 0.40; 95% CI 0.15-1.03). In a Poisson regression analysis on duration of bacteremia, methicillin resistance, musculoskeletal infection, endovascular infection, black race, and delayed intervention for source control were significantly associated with longer duration of bacteremia.</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>In this cohort of children with S aureus bacteremia, MRSA infections were associated with longer duration of bacteremia and a higher likelihood of complications.</p>

<p><strong>Background: </strong>Antibiotics are the most common medicines prescribed to children in hospitals and the community, with a high proportion of potentially inappropriate use. Antibiotic misuse increases the risk of toxicity, raises healthcare costs, and selection of resistance. The primary aim of this systematic review is to summarize the current state of evidence of the implementation and outcomes of pediatric antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) globally.</p>

<p><strong>Methods: </strong>MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched to identify studies reporting on ASP in children aged 0-18 years and conducted in outpatient or in-hospital settings. Three investigators independently reviewed identified articles for inclusion and extracted relevant data.</p>

<p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 41,916 studies screened, 113 were eligible for inclusion in this study. Most of the studies originated in the USA (52.2%), while a minority were conducted in Europe (24.7%) or Asia (17.7%). Seventy-four (65.5%) studies used a before-and-after design, and sixteen (14.1%) were randomized trials. The majority (81.4%) described in-hospital ASPs with half of interventions in mixed pediatric wards and ten (8.8%) in emergency departments. Only sixteen (14.1%) studies focused on the costs of ASPs. Almost all the studies (79.6%) showed a significant reduction in inappropriate prescriptions. Compliance after ASP implementation increased. Sixteen of the included studies quantified cost savings related to the intervention with most of the decreases due to lower rates of drug administration. Seven studies showed an increased susceptibility of the bacteria analysed with a decrease in extended spectrum beta-lactamase producers and a reduction in the rate of carbapenem resistance subsequent to an observed reduction in the rate of antimicrobial days of therapy; and, in two studies set in outpatient setting, an increase in erythromycin-sensitive following a reduction in the use of macrolides.</p>

<p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Pediatric ASPs have a significant impact on the reduction of targeted and empiric antibiotic use, healthcare costs, and antimicrobial resistance in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Pediatric ASPs are now widely implemented in the USA, but considerable further adaptation is required to facilitate their uptake in Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa.</p>

<p>Appendicitis is the most common pediatric surgical emergency and one of the most common indications for antibiotic use in hospitalized children. The antibiotic choice differs widely across children's hospitals, and the optimal regimen for perforated appendicitis remains unclear. We conducted a retrospective cohort study comparing initial antibiotic regimens for perforated appendicitis at a large tertiary-care children's hospital. Children hospitalized between January 2011 and March 2015 who underwent surgery for perforated appendicitis were identified by ICD-9 codes with confirmation by chart review. Patients were excluded if they had been admitted ≥48 hours prior to diagnosis, had a history of appendicitis, received inotropic agents, were immunocompromised, or were given an antibiotic regimen other than ceftriaxone plus metronidazole (CTX/MTZ) or an anti-pseudomonal drug (cefepime, piperacillin/tazobactam, ciprofloxacin, imipenem, or meropenem) within the first two days after diagnosis. The primary outcome of interest was post-operative complications, defined as development of an incisional infection or abscess within six weeks of hospital discharge. Of the 353 children who met the inclusion criteria, 252 (71%) received CTX/MTZ and the others received an anti-pseudomonal regimen. A post-operative complication occurred in 37 (14.7%) of the CTX/MTZ group versus 18 (17.8%) of the anti-pseudomonal group. Antibiotic-related complications occurred in 4.4% of children on CTX/MTZ and 6.9% of children on anti-pseudomonal antibiotics (p = 0.32). In a multivariable logistic regression model adjusting for sex, age, ethnicity, and duration of symptoms prior to presentation, the adjusted odds ratio for post-operative complications in children receiving anti-pseudomonal antibiotics was 1.25 (95% confidence interval 0.66-2.40). Post-operative complication rates did not differ for children treated with CTX/MTZ versus a broader-spectrum regimen.</p>

<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study aims to determine the effectiveness of an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program based on a Clinical Pathway (CP) to improve appropriateness in perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis (PAP).</p>

<p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>This pre-post quasi-experimental study was conducted in a 12 month period (six months before and six months after CP implementation), in a tertiary Pediatric Surgical Centre. All patients from 1 month to 15 years of age receiving one or more surgical procedures were eligible for inclusion. PAP was defined appropriate according to clinical practice guidelines.</p>

<p><strong>Results: </strong>Seven hundred sixty-six children were included in the study, 394 in pre-intervention and 372 in post-intervention. After CP implementation, there was an increase in appropriate PAP administration, as well as in the selection of the appropriate antibiotic for prophylaxis, both for monotherapy (p = 0.02) and combination therapy (p = 0.004). Even the duration of prophylaxis decreased during the post-intervention period, with an increase of correct PAP discontinuation from 45.1 to 66.7% (p &lt; 0.001). Despite the greater use of narrow-spectrum antibiotic for fewer days, there was no increase in treatment failures (10/394 (2.5%) pre vs 7/372 (1.9%) post, p = 0.54).</p>

<p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>CPs can be a useful tool to improve the choice of antibiotic and the duration of PAP in pediatric patients.</p>

<p><strong>BACKGROUND: </strong>Although Italian pediatric antimicrobial prescription rates are among the highest in Europe, little action has been taken to improve the appropriateness of antimicrobial prescriptions. The primary aim of this study was to assess changes in antibiotic prescription before and after acute otitis media (AOM) and group A streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis Clinical Pathway (CP) implementation; secondary aims were to compare treatment failures and to assess change in the total antibiotics costs before and after CP implementation.</p>

<p><strong>METHODS: </strong>Pre-post quasi-experimental study comparing the 6-month period prior to CP implementation (baseline period: 15 October 2014 through 15 April 2015) to the 6 months after intervention (post intervention: 15 October 2015 through 15 April 2016).</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>295 pre- and 278 post-intervention Emergency Department (ED) visits were associated with AOM. After CP implementation, there was an increase in "wait and see" approach and a decrease in overall prescription of broad-spectrum antibiotics from 53.2% to 32.4% (p&lt;0.001). 151 pre- and 166 post-implementation clinic visits were associated with GAS pharyngitis, with a decrease in broad-spectrum prescription after CP implementation (46.4% vs 6.6%, p&lt;0.001). For both conditions, no difference was found in treatment failure and total antibiotics cost was significantly reduced after CP implementation, with a decrease especially in broad-spectrum antibiotics costs.</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>A reduction in broad-spectrum antibiotic prescriptions and a reduction in the total cost of antibiotics for AOM and GAS pharyngitis along with an increase in "wait and see" prescribing for AOM indicate effectiveness of CP for antimicrobial stewardship in this setting.</p>

<p><strong>BACKGROUND: </strong>Italian pediatric antimicrobial prescription rates are among the highest in Europe. As a first step in an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program, we implemented a Clinical Pathway (CP) for Community Acquired Pneumonia with the aim of decreasing overall prescription of antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum.</p>

<p><strong>MATERIALS AND METHODS: </strong>The CP was implemented on 10/01/2015. We collected antibiotic prescribing and outcomes data from children aged 3 months-15 years diagnosed with CAP from 10/15/2014 to 04/15/2015 (pre-intervention period) and from 10/15/2015 to 04/15/2016 (post-intervention period). We assessed antibiotic prescription differences pre- and post-CP, including rates, breadth of spectrum, and duration of therapy. We also compared length of hospital stay for inpatients and treatment failure for inpatients and outpatients. Chi-square and Fisher's exact test were used to compare categorical variables and Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to compare quantitative outcomes.</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>120 pre- and 86 post-intervention clinic visits were identified with a diagnosis of CAP. In outpatients, we observed a decrease in broad-spectrum regimens (50% pre-CP vs. 26.8% post-CP, p = 0.02), in particular macrolides, and an increase in narrow-spectrum (amoxicillin) post-CP. Post-CP children received fewer antibiotic courses (median DOT from 10 pre-CP to 8 post-CP, p&lt;0.0001) for fewer days (median LOT from 10 pre-CP to 8 post-CP, p&lt;0.0001) than their pre-CP counterparts. Physicians prescribed narrow-spectrum monotherapy more frequently than broad-spectrum combination therapy (DOT/LOT ratio 1.157 pre-CP vs. 1.065 post-CP). No difference in treatment failure was reported before and after implementation (2.3% pre-CP vs. 11.8% post-CP, p = 0.29). Among inpatients we also noted a decrease in broad-spectrum regimens (100% pre-CP vs. 66.7% post-CP, p = 0.02) and the introduction of narrow-spectrum regimens (0% pre-CP vs. 33.3% post-CP, p = 0.02) post-CP. Hospitalized patients received fewer antibiotic courses post-CP (median DOT from 18.5 pre-CP to 10 post-CP, p = 0.004), while there was no statistical difference in length of therapy (median LOT from 11 pre-CP to 10 post-CP, p = 0.06). Days of broad spectrum therapy were notably lower post-CP (median bsDOT from 17 pre-CP to 4.5 post-CP, p &lt;0.0001). No difference in treatment failure was reported before and after CP implementation (16.7% pre-CP vs. 15.4% post-CP, p = 1).</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>Introduction of a CP for CAP in a Pediatric Emergency Department led to reduction of broad-spectrum antibiotic prescriptions, of combination therapy and of duration of treatment both for outpatients and inpatients.</p>