Little P, Francis NA, Stuart B, et al. - In ARTIC PC, a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial done at 56 general practices in England, researchers examined the effect of amoxicillin on the duration of moderately bad symptoms in children presenting with uncomplicated (non-pneumonic) lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in primary care, overall and in key clinical subgroups (patients with chest signs, fever, physician rating of unwell, sputum or chest rattle, and short of breath).

• Children aged 6 months to 12 years presenting in primary care with acute uncomplicated LRTI, were randomly assigned to receive amoxicillin 50 mg/kg per day or placebo oral suspension, in three divided doses orally for 7 days.

• The groups had similar median durations of moderately bad or worse symptoms.

• Among children with uncomplicated chest infections, amoxicillin did not seem clinically effective either overall or for key subgroups in whom antibiotics are commonly prescribed.

• Unless pneumonia is suspected, most children presenting with chest infections should be provided safety-netting advice but not antibiotics.