Evaluation of FebriDx ® for the management of children with acute febrile respiratory infection

Introduction: Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are a common cause of inappropriate antibiotic prescription (ATB) in pediatrics. FebriDx (R) is a rapid diagnostic test that differentiates between viral and bacterial infections. The objective is to analyse the impact of FebriDx (R) on ATB prescription when managing febrile ARI. Methods: Prospective study carried out in patients aged 1-< 18 years with febrile ARI in the emergency department. FebriDx (R) was performed and the impact on management was evaluated at follow-up. Results: A total of 216 patients were included. Clinical assessment and FebriDx (R) result coincided in 174 (80.5%) cases. A modification of the initial therapeutic plan was made in 22 (52.4%) of the 42 discordant ones (10.2% of the overall patients). In pneumonia the impact was 34.5%; in all cases it involved not prescribing ATB. Conclusion: FebriDx (R) could be a useful tool in the management of pediatric patients with febrile ARI to optimize ATB prescription. (c) 2024 Sociedad Espa & ntilde;ola de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiolog & iacute;a Cl & iacute;nica. Published by Elsevier Espa & ntilde;a, S.L.U. All rights reserved.