Role of Antibiotic Therapy on Clinical Outcomes of Non-Severe Pneumonia in Children Under Five: A Systematic Review
Study Period: January 2026-February 2027
Donor Name: Mackay Capacity Building Fund for Global Public Health Research and Advocacy, RESPIRE, UK
Partners: Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, UK
Project Description:
Background: Pneumonia remains a leading cause of death among children under five worldwide. World Health Organization guidelines recommend antibiotics for both severe and non-severe childhood pneumonia to reduce illness and death. However, in the era of widespread Hemophilus influenzae type b and Pneumococcal vaccination, many non-severe pneumonia cases are viral, for which antibiotics offer little or no benefit. Continued antibiotic use in these situations highlights the need to re-evaluate the evidence for antibiotic treatment in non-severe childhood pneumonia.
Objective: The objective of this systematic review is to collate and synthesize current findings to assess the role of antibiotics in clinical outcomes in non-severe pneumonia in children under five.
Significance: The findings from this study will support the development of evidence-based, rational antibiotic use policies in non-severe pneumonia in under-five children.