ECZEMA in CHILDREN A new multi- million dollar is launching to determine the effectiveness of antibiotics to treat allergic eczema — a debilitating skin condition that affects many children — is to begin this month. The Children with Eczema Antibiotic Management (CREAM)-study, funded by the UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) will compare the effectiveness of antibiotic syrup to antibiotic cream and placebos in treating infected eczema. The two-year project, which will examine the short and long-term effects of these treatments, will help researchers gain an insight into the relationship between clinical features, the presence of bacteria on the skin, and medication cost-effectiveness. Children taking part in the study will be assessed on their general health status along with the impact the condition has on their quality of life and their families. A questionnaire completed by the child’s parent or carer during the week following treatment will allow the team to find out the extent to which each child is affected by eczema. The team will also measure the effect of antibiotics on the development of antibiotic resistance by taking swabs (samples) from the child’s skin, mouth and nose. Medication side effects will also be measured. “Eczema flares are sometimes thought to be caused by bacterial infections, but we do not know whether antibiotics reduce eczema severity in these children, and if so, whether antibiotic syrup or cream works better. “Thousands of children receive antibiotic treatment for eczema every year. If these treatments work then we can promote use in those who are most likely to benefit, if not then we can avoid exposing children to the risks of unnecessary antibiotic treatment.” The study will take place in over 90 general practices in England, Scotland and Wales. Findings from the project will be published around September 2015.
Posted on: Thu, 18 Jul 2013 09:42:10 +0000
Trending Topics
© 2015