Drug Therapy for Ambulatory Pediatric Patients in 1979

Abstract

National patterns in the prescribing of drugs for children by office-based physicians during 1979 were investigated to describe the most commonly encountered pediatric drug therapies. The data are presented as descriptive norms of drug therapy by office-based physicians in 2 pediatric subgroups, 0-2 yr old and 3-9 yr old. Anti-infective drugs and cough and cold preparations accounted for .apprx. 50% of drugs used. Tetracycline and its congeners continue to be used in pediatric patients. Despite apparent advantages of amoxicillin, ampicillin is still widely used.