USE OF AMOXICILLIN AND CLAVULANIC ACID (AUGMENTIN) IN THE TREATMENT OF SKIN AND SOFT TISSUE INFECTIONS IN CHILDREN.

The efficacy and safety of amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid, a combination of antibiotics potentially effective against beta-lactamase producing bacteria, was compared with that of amoxicillin, erythromycin and co-trimoxazole in an open label, randomized trial in 200 children with mild to severe skin and soft tissue infections. The majority (47%) had impetigo. Fifty (25%) children had mild pyodermas, 56 (28%) had moderate and 94 (47%) children had severe pyodermas. A pure growth of Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 130 (65%) children. S. pyogenes was isolated from 42 (21%), children and both organisms in 28 (14%) children. In mild to moderate pyoderma 84 per cent of children receiving the combination were cured clinically at the end of the 1st week, whereas 73.3 per cent children in amoxicillin group, 76.9 per cent children in erythromycin group and only 56 per cent children in co-trimoxazole group showed clinical cure at the end of the 1st week. In severe pyoderma 96 per cent children receiving amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid, 90 per cent children in amoxicillin group, 83 per cent children in erythromycin group and 52 per cent children in co-trimoxazole group showed clinical cure. Amoxicillin combined with clavulanic acid was well tolerated by children.