June has been a big month for medical articles that disprove the utility of antibiotics for common childhood illnesses. First the journal Pediatrics published an article showing no effectiveness of antibiotics for ear infections (see article). Now two more articles have shown that antibiotics are useless for pinkeye (conjunctivitis) and for bronchitis.

A British study published in The Lancet investigated the use of antibiotic eye drops in the treatment of conjunctivitis. The study included 326 children aged 6 months to 12 years with conjunctivitis. By the end of one week 83 percent of the placebo group and 86 percent of the antibiotic group had recovered. When the organism causing the infection was found to be bacterial (as opposed to viral) there still was no significant difference between the antibiotic and placebo groups. Only 3 percent of the children given placebo had a recurrence of conjunctivitis within 6 weeks compared to 4 percent of the children treated with antibiotics. The conclusion of these researchers was that acute infective conjunctivitis does not require treatment with an antibiotic.

Another British study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association investigated the effectives of antibiotics in 807 patients aged 3 years or older with acute lower respiratory tract infection. Patients with pneumonia or chronic respiratory disease (asthma, cystic fibrosis) were excluded from the study. The clinicians compared the effectiveness of immediate antibiotics, delayed antibiotics, and no antibiotics. Delayed antibiotics was defined as advice to use a course of antibiotics available on request if symptoms were not resolved after 14 days. The antibiotic used was amoxicillin, or erythromycin if patients were allergic to penicillin. Symptoms observed during the course of the study included cough, shortness of breath, sputum production, well-being, sleep disturbance, and activity disturbance. The researchers found no significant difference in these outcome measures in the different groups.

The authors conclude that "No offer or a delayed offer of antibiotics for acute uncomplicated lower respiratory tract infection is acceptable, associated with little difference in symptom resolution, and is likely to considerably reduce antibiotic use and beliefs in the effectiveness of antibiotics."

Of course holistic pediatric practitioners have many tools for effectively treating conjunctivitis, bronchitis, and ear infections without the use of antibiotics. Herbal treatment, homeopathic medicine, acupuncture, chiropractic, and nutritional interventions can all have beneficial effects on these common illnesses of children. Antibiotic use, by contrast, can result in serious, even life threatening, side effects. Antibiotics can also result in more recurrences of illnesses, weakened immune systems, overgrowth of fungi (candidiasis) and other bacteria, and immediate or chronic allergic reactions. The problem of bacterial resistance to antibiotics from overuse in these simple illnesses of children is well-documented.

The Holistic Pediatric Association advises parents to seek treatment from a holistic practitioner capable of treating these common illnesses with non-toxic methods that encourage healing and strengthen immune function.

References:

Little P, et al. Information Leaflet and Antibiotic Prescribing Strategies for Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infection: A Randomized Controlled Trial JAMA . 2005;293:3029-3035.

Rose PW, et al. Chloramphenicol treatment for acute infective conjunctivitis in children in primary care: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. The Lancet . 22 June 2005; early online publication.