Early Transition to Oral Antibiotics or IV Therapy in Children With Uncomplicated Osteomyelitis Medscape

Description: Medscape Viewpoint on article Prolonged Intravenous Therapy Versus Early Transition to Oral Antimicrobial Therapy for Acute Osteomyelitis in Children
Zaoutis T, Localio AR, Leckerman K, Saddlemire S, Bertoch D, Keren R Pediatrics. 2009;123:636-642
The study authors note that osteomyelitis, bacterial infection of bone, causes approximately 1% of all pediatric hospitalizations. Current recommendations are that pediatric patients with osteomyelitis receive 4-6 weeks of parenteral (intravenous or IV) antibiotic therapy, but this recommendation is based more on expert opinion than experimental evidence.
The authors concluded that early transition to oral antibiotics in otherwise healthy children with uncomplicated osteomyelitis is as effective as prolonged IV therapy.