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Shorter courses of antibiotics may be a reasonable option for kids with uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs), according to a meta-analysis of 13 randomized trials involving 2,010 children published in Clinical Microbiology and Infection. Researchers found that shorter antibiotic courses of 2–5 days prescribed for acute, uncomplicated pediatric UTIs produced outcomes comparable to longer courses of 7 days or more. Relapse rates were similar between groups (risk ratio [RR] 1.08), with only 8 more relapses per 1,000 children in the shorter-course group. Reinfection rates also did not differ significantly (RR 0.63). Compared to the longer-course antibiotic therapy, shorter therapy showed little or no difference in bacteriological cure (RR 0.96) or clinical cure rate (RR 0.99). Adverse events were comparable, with gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain most commonly reported.
Reducing antibiotic resistance: The authors conclude, “Our findings indicate that shorter-course antibiotic therapy is as effective and safe as longer course therapy.” This insight may help reduce antibiotic exposure and, therefore, antibiotic resistance as the investigation of optimal duration of antibiotic therapy for uncomplicated UTIs continues.