Prevalence and determinants of antibiotic exposure in infants: A population-derived Australian birth cohort study

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe antibiotic exposure in Australian infants during the first year of life, focusing on antibiotic class, indication, risk factors associated with exposure and comparison with international counterparts. Methods: The Barwon Infant Study is a birth cohort study (n = 1074) with an unselected antenatal sampling frame from a large regional centre in Victoria, Australia. Longitudinal data on infection and medication were collected at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months by parental questionnaire and from general practitioner and hospital records. Predictors of questionnaire non-completion were identified. A total of 660 infants with complete serial data were comprehens..