A comparison of the use of antimicrobials with other common peroral drugs in the pediatric population of Helsinki.

7,068 children treated in 1978 aft the emergency room of the outpatient department at the Aurora City Hospital, Helsinki, took part in a survey to investigate their previous use of medication. On average, each child had received at least 1.5 complete courses of a drug during the preceding 12 months. The use of antimicrobial agents (3,952 complete courses) was alarming. They were prescribed more frequently than antitussives (3,678 courses) or peroral anticoryzeal preparations (2,498 courses). A marked reduction in the use of antimicrobials, antitussives and peroral antihistamines, but not of antipyretics, was observed in late summer.