Increasing Antiviral Usage in a UK Children's Hospital: A Call for Antiviral Stewardship.
McGarrity O., Prentice S., Shepherd D., Hatcher J., Standing J., Bamford A., Breuer J., Kadambari S.
Antiviral consumption data in hospitalized children are limited. We utilized electronic prescribing records to interrogate changes to antiviral use between 2019 and 2024 in a large UK children's hospital. Antiviral usage/cost increased significantly, driven predominantly by anti-cytomegalovirus medications. Pediatric antimicrobial stewardship programs should include antiviral usage and be prioritized in centers caring for children at risk of severe viral infections.