Study on early administration of azithromycin in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infection in children

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of early administration of azithromycin in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infection in children. Methods A randomized, double-blind, parallel-group was conducted, eligible participants were assigned to azithromycin group (6 mg/kg/d) or cefixime group (6 mg/kg/d), started early during each predefined respiratory tract infection, changes in symptoms and adverse effects were recorded on each day during treatment. Results 142 participants were involved in our study, 70 cases in azithromycin group, 65 cases in cefixime group. The cure rate and effective rate of azithromycin group and cefixime group were 72.86% and 49.23%, 98.57% and 92.31% respectively, with statistically significant difference in the cure rate between the two groups (P 0.05). After 7-day follow-up visit, the cure rate and effective rate of azithromycin group and cefixime group were 70.23% and 55.74%, 98.57% and 92.31% respectively, bacterial clearance rate of two groups were 96.51% and 96.42% respectively, without statistically significant differences (P>0.05). The incidence of adverse effects of azithromycin group and cefixime group were 28.57% and 26.15%, without statistically significant difference (P>0.05). Conclusion Early administration of azithromycin can improve the symptoms of children with lower respiratory tract infection effectively and safely. Key words: Azithromycin; Children; Lower respiratory tract infection