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Pediatrics

Respiratory Syncytial Viruses Linked to 6.3% of Pediatric Antibiotic Use in US

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV) have been found to be associated with a significant proportion of pediatric antibiotic use in the United States, according to a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of California Berkeley. The study, which analyzed outpatient antibiotic prescriptions dispensed to children from 2008 to 2018, found that RSV and influenza were linked to 6.3% and 3.4% of antibiotic prescriptions, respectively. These estimates translate to 72.6 and 40.0 antibiotic prescriptions per 1000 children annually for RSV and influenza, respectively.

Key Takeaways:

  • RSV and influenza were associated with 6.3% and 3.4% of antibiotic prescriptions in pediatric patients, respectively.
  • These estimates translate to 72.6 and 40.0 antibiotic prescriptions per 1000 children annually for RSV and influenza, respectively.
  • RSV-associated antibiotic prescription incidence was highest among children aged 5 years.
  • Macrolides were the antibiotic class for which RSV and influenza accounted for the greatest share of prescribing.
  • Measures to prevent RSV and influenza infections in children, such as immunization, may reduce antibiotic use and aid in mitigating antibiotic resistance.
  • The study concluded that RSV and influenza are associated with meaningful proportions of pediatric antibiotic prescriptions.

Statistics:

  • 72.6 (95% CI, 59.7-85.9) RSV-associated antibiotic prescriptions per 1000 children annually
  • 40.0 (95% CI, 35.1-45.1) influenza-associated antibiotic prescriptions per 1000 children annually
  • 6.3% (95% CI, 5.2%-7.3%) of antibiotic prescriptions were associated with RSV
  • 3.4% (95% CI, 3.1%-3.8%) of antibiotic prescriptions were associated with influenza
  • 5 years was the age group with the highest RSV-associated antibiotic prescription incidence

Sources:

  • "Pediatric Antibiotic Use Associated With Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Influenza In the United States, 2008-2018." The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2025.
  • NewsRx. Findings from University of California Berkeley Broaden Understanding of Respiratory Syncytial Viruses (Pediatric Antibiotic Use Associated With Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Influenza In the United States, 2008-2018). Vaccine Weekly, August 6, 2025; p 226.

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