Short-course Intravenous Antibiotic Therapy of Pediatric Acute Bone and Joint Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Marina Vroutsi, Alexandra Soldatou, Panagiota Psallida et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of short-course intravenous antibiotic therapy (≤5 days) in previously healthy children with acute bone and joint infections (BJIs). The analysis included 813 children and found a pooled odds ratio for treatment success of 1.65, indicating no significant difference compared to longer intravenous regimens. The certainty of evidence was rated low due to imprecision.
Key findings
- Pooled odds ratio for treatment success with short-course therapy was 1.65 (95% CI: 0.46-5.98).
- Three out of six studies were eligible for meta-analysis.
- Statistical heterogeneity was low (I2 = 0%).
- The certainty of evidence for treatment success was rated low.
Why it matters
Understanding the effectiveness of shorter antibiotic courses can help clinicians optimize treatment for pediatric bone and joint infections, potentially reducing hospital stays and antibiotic exposure. However, the low certainty of evidence necessitates careful consideration in clinical decision-making.