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Antibiotics for chronic pulmonary infection in children with a neurodisability (neurodevelopmental disorder)

Sanner JR, Jain K, Williams J, Hurley MN

The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2023

2 citations

Abstract

Background: 'Neurodisability' refers to a group of conditions that result primarily from a neurological problem (e.g. cerebral palsy), neuromuscular problem (e.g. a muscular dystrophy) or developmental problems (e.g. developmental impairment, Down syndrome). Children and young people with these conditions may have similar problems with mobility, feeding and airway clearance. Chest and breathing problems (including pulmonary infections) are commonly experienced by children and young people with neurodisabilities and are often a cause for them requiring hospital care. For those who are unable to completely clear their airway of secretions, or have frequent infections, pulmonary infections may not be able to be completely eradicated and therefore become chronic. It is unclear what treatment is best for children and young people in this position.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness and adverse effects of antibiotic treatment for chronic pulmonary infection in children and young people living with a neurodisability, including quality-of-life measures, effects on hospitalisation and healthcare contacts.

Search methods: We searched the Cochrane Airways Trials Register, Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections Group Register of Trials (CARIGRT), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), OpenGrey (www.opengrey.eu) and three trials registries up to 8 February 2022.…

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