Community Acquired Pneumonia - Children

NHSL Antimicrobial Guidelines
NHS Lanarkshire

Consider referring children and young people with community-acquired pneumonia to hospital, or seek specialist paediatric advice on further investigation and management. When choosing an antibiotic, take into account severity of symptoms or signs of CAP, based on clinical judgement.

Drug details

Children under one month:

Refer to paediatric specialist

Drug

First-choice oral antibiotic for children 1 month and over if non-severe symptoms or signs:

Amoxicillin

Duration

3 times a day 5 days

Child Dose

Drug

Penicillin allergy or alternative required if non-severe symptoms or signs:

Clarithromycin

Duration

twice daily 5 days

Child Dose

Drug

First choice antibiotic if severe symptoms or signs:

Co-amoxiclav

Duration

3 times a day 5 days

Child Dose

Drug

AND

Clarithromycin

Duration

twice daily 5 days (if atypical pathogen suspected)

Child Dose

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 18/05/2022

Next review date: 18/05/2025

Author(s): NHS Lanarkshire Antimicrobial Management Committee, Dr Dundas, Dr Hylands, S McCormick, Heather Boyle.

Version: V1

Approved By: AMC; ADTC

Reviewer name(s): NHS Lanarkshire Antimicrobial Management Committee.

Document Id: June 2022