Pneumonia – Short Course Therapy

Protocol Description

This study investigates whether children with community acquired pneumonia can be effectively treated with 5 days of antibiotics instead of 10 days, which is the present standard of care. Shorter courses of antibiotics in children, whose symptoms are improving, may not only be sufficient to treat the infection, but may reduce the likelihood of bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics. Resistant bacteria can make infections more difficult to treat.

Benefits

Children enrolled in the study will have careful monitoring and follow-up visits for pneumonia. There are no charges for study related visits or medication. The clinical team is available by phone, 24 hours a day.

Eligibility Criteria

Subject to certain exclusion criteria. This study is open to otherwise healthy, children who have been diagnosed with community acquired pneumonia. Boys and Girls: At least 6 months of age but less than 6 years old.

Requirements

Participants will be treated by their own doctors, using an appropriate antibiotic for pneumonia for the first 5 days. As part of the study, participants will be treated for another 5 days with same antibiotic or a placebo. This will be determined randomly. Children will have two additional visits. One visit will occur within a few days of taken the final dose. The other will occur about two weeks later. During each visit, a physical assessment will be completed and samples are collected.
Visits: 3
Duration: approximately 1 month

Status: Open for Enrollment

Source(s) of Support

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
NIH

Additional Information

Study Description at National Institutes of Health
Study Consent Form (PDF)

Primary Investigator

Judith Martin, MD

Contact Information

For information or to enroll, please contact 412-712-7668.