Antibiotics unnecessary for childhood conjunctivitis

Antibiotics are not necessary for most children with acute infective conjunctivitis.

The results of research published in the June 22 Early Online issue of The Lancet relate to a study of 326 children aged from six months to 12 years who had been diagnosed with the common eye infection.

They were randomised and some treated with chloramphenicol while others were offered a placebo.

The end point was clinical cure after seven days. Eighty-six per cent of those treated with antibiotic achieved clinical cure as did 83 per cent of the placebo group.

Dr Pete Rose, of Oxford University and leader of the trial, said: 'We have shown that symptoms resolve without antibiotics in most children with acute infective conjunctivitis. The health economic argument against antibiotic prescription for acute conjunctivitis is compelling.'