[Antibiotic prescribing to the paediatric population of Castilla y León in the last decade: trends, seasonal fluctuations and geographical differences].

INTRODUCTION The development of antibiotic resistance is a danger to the health of the population, especially for children,due to low antimicrobial arsenal available to them. MATERIAL AND METHODS We performed a retrospective observational study referred to the prescriptions of systemic antibiotic in the paediatric population of Castilla y León in the years 2001 to 2010. RESULTS The total use of antibiotics outside hospitals is around to 20.7 DID (defined daily dose per 1,000 inhabitants per day). There are two different phases: the first from 2001 to 2007 where there is an increase of consumption, with a peak of 25 DID in 2003, following a phase of decline, with a minimum of 18 DID in 2010. Broad-spectrum penicillins are the most used. We also observe changes in prescription trends. It has a clear seasonal prescription profile related to acute respiratory infections (ARI) of winter, stands in February. The use of antibiotics varies substantially between different Health Areas. CONCLUSIONS We observed a decrease in antibiotic prescription to children in the last three years. Changes in the prescription profile for amoxicillin and at the expense of greater spectrum antibacterial antibiotics indicate a better match to therapeutic guidelines in recent years. The variability found in different Health Areas suggests the need for improvement in the rational use of antibiotic, at least to some.