Avoidable Antibiotic Use in Pediatric Dengue Cases in Taiwan

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted by a team at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in Taiwan has shed light on the widespread use of antibiotics in pediatric dengue cases. The study found that nearly 28% of children with confirmed dengue without bacterial infection received antibiotics, leading to increased healthcare utilization and medical costs. The research also highlighted the link between antibiotic use and adverse drug events (ADEs) in these patients.

Key Takeaways:

  • 28.2% of children with confirmed dengue without bacterial infection received antibiotics, indicating a substantial proportion of avoidable antibiotic use.
  • Recipients of antibiotics were more likely to incur emergency department visits (3.16 times higher), hospitalizations (4.20 times higher), and higher predicted medical care expenditures ($16,914 vs. $14,104) in a 30-day follow-up period.
  • Antibiotic recipients also had significantly higher odds of overall defined (1.72 times higher), dermatologic-related (1.83 times higher), and gastrointestinal-related (1.67 times higher) ADEs.
  • The study concluded that recipients of antibiotics in pediatric dengue cases experienced more medical care utilization and expenditures than untreated cases.

Statistics:

  • 1,959 out of 6,938 children (28.2%) with confirmed dengue without bacterial infection received antibiotics.
  • 3.16 times higher odds of emergency department visits for children receiving antibiotics.
  • 4.20 times higher odds of hospitalizations for children receiving antibiotics.
  • $16,914 average predicted medical care expenditures for children receiving antibiotics in a 30-day follow-up period.
  • 1.72 times higher odds of overall defined ADEs for children receiving antibiotics.
  • 1.83 times higher odds of dermatologic-related ADEs for children receiving antibiotics.
  • 1.67 times higher odds of gastrointestinal-related ADEs for children receiving antibiotics.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Reports Findings in Antibiotics (Antibiotic Use in Pediatric Dengue Cases in Taiwan: A National Administrative Database Analysis). Pediatrics Week. June 14, 2025; p 442.
  • The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Antibiotic Use in Pediatric Dengue Cases in Taiwan: A National Administrative Database Analysis, 2025.
  • National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University. Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine.