The effect of azithromycin treatment on respiratory morbidity in children with down syndrome
Abstract Background Children with Down syndrome (DS) often experience recurrent and prolonged hospitalizations from respiratory infections. While Azithromycin has been increasingly used for lower-respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in children, its potential benefits for DS patients are unexplored....
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Pediatrics |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-025-05421-1 |
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| author | Inbal Golan-Tripto Omer Dor Noga Arwas Itai Hazan Guy Hazan Aviv Goldbart |
| author_facet | Inbal Golan-Tripto Omer Dor Noga Arwas Itai Hazan Guy Hazan Aviv Goldbart |
| author_sort | Inbal Golan-Tripto |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Children with Down syndrome (DS) often experience recurrent and prolonged hospitalizations from respiratory infections. While Azithromycin has been increasingly used for lower-respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in children, its potential benefits for DS patients are unexplored. This study evaluates the effect of chronic azithromycin treatment on respiratory morbidity in children with DS. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed data from children with DS aged 0–6 years treated with Azithromycin for at least 6 weeks (10 mg/kg, thrice weekly). Respiratory morbidity indicators, such as primary care visits, medication consumption, emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and hospital length of stay (LOS), were assessed and compared six months before and after the Azithromycin treatment. Results Twenty-three episodes of Azithromycin treatment (≥ 6 weeks) in eighteen children with DS (mean age of 2.3 years, 78% males) during 2016–2023 were included. A significant reduction in mean respiratory LOS was observed (13.6 vs. 4.7 days, p = 0.05) when comparing pre to post-Azithromycin treatment. Other secondary respiratory outcomes showed no significant differences. Conclusion The significant reduction in respiratory LOS suggests the potential benefits of Azithromycin in children with DS, and emphasizes the need for larger clinical trials to determine optimal use and long-term effects in this vulnerable population. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-89103dcee8e64ee5b60be29673047ae6 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2431 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Pediatrics |
| spelling | doaj-art-89103dcee8e64ee5b60be29673047ae62025-02-09T12:54:37ZengBMCBMC Pediatrics1471-24312025-01-012511710.1186/s12887-025-05421-1The effect of azithromycin treatment on respiratory morbidity in children with down syndromeInbal Golan-Tripto0Omer Dor1Noga Arwas2Itai Hazan3Guy Hazan4Aviv Goldbart5Pediatric Pulmonary Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion UniversityFaculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the NegevPediatric Pulmonary Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion UniversityFaculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the NegevPediatric Pulmonary Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion UniversityPediatric Pulmonary Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion UniversityAbstract Background Children with Down syndrome (DS) often experience recurrent and prolonged hospitalizations from respiratory infections. While Azithromycin has been increasingly used for lower-respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in children, its potential benefits for DS patients are unexplored. This study evaluates the effect of chronic azithromycin treatment on respiratory morbidity in children with DS. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed data from children with DS aged 0–6 years treated with Azithromycin for at least 6 weeks (10 mg/kg, thrice weekly). Respiratory morbidity indicators, such as primary care visits, medication consumption, emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and hospital length of stay (LOS), were assessed and compared six months before and after the Azithromycin treatment. Results Twenty-three episodes of Azithromycin treatment (≥ 6 weeks) in eighteen children with DS (mean age of 2.3 years, 78% males) during 2016–2023 were included. A significant reduction in mean respiratory LOS was observed (13.6 vs. 4.7 days, p = 0.05) when comparing pre to post-Azithromycin treatment. Other secondary respiratory outcomes showed no significant differences. Conclusion The significant reduction in respiratory LOS suggests the potential benefits of Azithromycin in children with DS, and emphasizes the need for larger clinical trials to determine optimal use and long-term effects in this vulnerable population.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-025-05421-1Down syndromeAzithromycinRespiratory infectionsChildrenRespiratory morbidity |
| spellingShingle | Inbal Golan-Tripto Omer Dor Noga Arwas Itai Hazan Guy Hazan Aviv Goldbart The effect of azithromycin treatment on respiratory morbidity in children with down syndrome BMC Pediatrics Down syndrome Azithromycin Respiratory infections Children Respiratory morbidity |
| title | The effect of azithromycin treatment on respiratory morbidity in children with down syndrome |
| title_full | The effect of azithromycin treatment on respiratory morbidity in children with down syndrome |
| title_fullStr | The effect of azithromycin treatment on respiratory morbidity in children with down syndrome |
| title_full_unstemmed | The effect of azithromycin treatment on respiratory morbidity in children with down syndrome |
| title_short | The effect of azithromycin treatment on respiratory morbidity in children with down syndrome |
| title_sort | effect of azithromycin treatment on respiratory morbidity in children with down syndrome |
| topic | Down syndrome Azithromycin Respiratory infections Children Respiratory morbidity |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-025-05421-1 |
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