Pediatric Ophthalmic Antibiotic Utilization in New Zealand Highlighted in New Research

New Zealand researchers conducted a comprehensive study on the pediatric utilization of ophthalmic antibiotics, shedding light on the utilization patterns of chloramphenicol and ciprofloxacin in the eye and ear among children aged five years or under in Auckland. The study, led by the University of Auckland, analyzed 11,617 prescriptions of these antibiotics in 2022 and found that most ophthalmic ciprofloxacin was used in the ear, whereas almost all chloramphenicol was used in the eye. The research also identified disparities in antibiotic utilization among different ethnic groups, with Pacific children being more likely to receive hospital-prescribed ophthalmic ciprofloxacin for use in the ear.

Key Takeaways:

• The study analyzed 11,617 prescriptions of ophthalmic chloramphenicol and ciprofloxacin in children aged five years or under in Auckland, New Zealand, in 2022.
• Most ophthalmic ciprofloxacin (84%) was used in the ear, whereas almost all chloramphenicol (96%) was used in the eye.
• Post-operative use following tympanostomy tube insertion accounted for half of all hospital-prescribed ophthalmic ciprofloxacin used in the ear.
• Utilization of chloramphenicol and ciprofloxacin in the eye and ear was similar, with more prescriptions for children aged one year and males.
• Maori and Pacific children generally received fewer prescriptions, with Pacific children being more likely to receive hospital-prescribed ophthalmic ciprofloxacin for use in the ear (adjusted OR 6.7, p = 0.025).
• Most children received only one prescription, and the majority of ophthalmic ciprofloxacin was prescribed in community settings.

Statistics:

• 11,617 prescriptions of ophthalmic chloramphenicol and ciprofloxacin were analyzed in the study.
• 84% of ophthalmic ciprofloxacin was used in the ear.
• 96% of chloramphenicol was used in the eye.
• Half of all hospital-prescribed ophthalmic ciprofloxacin used in the ear was for post-operative use following tympanostomy tube insertion.
• 6.7% increase in the odds of receiving hospital-prescribed ophthalmic ciprofloxacin in the ear for Pacific children compared to Maori children (adjusted OR 6.7, p = 0.025).
• 84% of children received only one prescription of ophthalmic antibiotics.

Sources:

• Paediatric Utilisation of Ophthalmic Antibiotics in the Ear in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Children, 2025,12(5):557. (Children - http://www.mdpi.com/journal/children)
• The publisher for Children is MDPI AG.