Pandemic's Impact: Antiviral Prescriptions for High-Risk Kids Plunge

Описание: The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unexpected impact on antiviral medication prescriptions for children at risk of severe influenza. Despite unchanged treatment guidelines, a recent study reveals a significant drop in antiviral prescriptions for these vulnerable pediatric patients.
In the three years following the pandemic, emergency departments saw a 53% decrease in antiviral prescriptions for high-risk children. This is a concerning trend, as these children, including those with underlying conditions, are recommended to receive antiviral treatment for suspected or confirmed influenza.
The study, spanning seven influenza seasons, analyzed data from seven US pediatric academic hospitals. It found that only 15.6% of high-risk children received antivirals in the post-pandemic period, compared to 32.2% before COVID-19.
Researchers suggest that clinicians may prioritize diagnostic confirmation, especially differentiating influenza from COVID-19, over timely antiviral therapy. This highlights a potential gap between guidelines and practice, with factors like delayed test results and perceptions of antiviral effectiveness playing a role.
To address this issue, experts emphasize the need for early testing and quick test results to inform treatment decisions. Ensuring access to recommended antivirals is also crucial for providing timely care to vulnerable children.
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