WIP 11 - Racial, Ethnic Disparities in Antimicrobial Prescribing in Children with Skin Soft Tissue Infections

Publication Number: WIP 11.7403

Antonia Molinari, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, Oakland, CA, United States; Prachi Singh, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, Orinda, CA, United States

Background: Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are one of the most frequent diagnoses encountered in pediatric emergency departments (ED). While studies in adults have reported racial variations in antimicrobial prescribing for SSTIs, and similar disparities have been observed in children with acute respiratory tract infections, there is limited research on how health disparities affect children with SSTIs.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess potential differences in antibiotic choice and duration of therapy based on race, ethnicity, and insurance status in pediatric patients with SSTIs. We hypothesized that racial differences exist in the treatment of pediatric SSTIs.

Design/Methods: We conducted a single-center, retrospective chart review of 200 children aged 3 months to 18 years who presented to the emergency department between September 2021 and April 2024 with a discharge diagnosis of SSTI. Patients with underlying immunocompromising conditions, patients with prior diagnoses of MRSA, and patients who were admitted were excluded from the analysis. Baseline categorical data were compared using chi-squared tests, and logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between antibiotic duration and demographic factors including age, race, ethnicity, and insurance status.