A new analysis of data from a randomized trial provides more evidence in support of shorter antibiotic courses for young children with non-severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).

The study, published last week in mBio, analyzed throat swabs from children enrolled in the SCOUT-CAP (Short-Course Outpatient Therapy of Community Acquired Pneumonia) trial, a randomized clinical trial that found that a 5-day course of antibiotics for kids with non-severe CAP was superior to 10 days—the currently recommended duration for pediatric CAP. While the initial trial results showed the 5-day treatment achieved a similar clinical response as 10 days, the throat swab analysis also found fewer antibiotic resistance genes in children who received the shorter treatment.

It's a novel finding that's significant because it boosts the case that "shorter is better" when it comes to antibiotic duration for pediatric CAP, which has been a priority area for child health research and has important implications for antibiotic stewardship, the study authors say.

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