Optimising Antibiotic Use for Paediatric LRTIs in Africa
Official title: Optimising Antibiotic Use for Young African Children Hospitalised With Lower Respiratory Tract Infections: the Role of Biomarkers, Clinical Severity Scoring and Clinician Attitudes
Run by University of Witwatersrand, South Africa · NCT07841691 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether using point-of-care CRP tests together with the PREPARE score can safely reduce antibiotic use in infants aged 2–24 months with lower respiratory infections in a Johannesburg hospital.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 2 Months to 24 Months |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 400 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Witwatersrand, South Africa Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Johannesburg, Gauteng) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 27, 2026 |
| Main results expected | May 26, 2027 |
| Study ends | June 30, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | September 25, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07841691 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Children aged 2–24 months hospitalised with a clinician-diagnosed lower respiratory tract infection at CHBAH.
✕Probably not a fit
Children outside the 2–24 month age range or those with conditions not meeting LRTI criteria may not benefit from this approach.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This pragmatic, unblinded randomized trial examines whether guiding antibiotic decisions with serial CRP measurements and repeated PREPARE severity assessments can reduce unnecessary antibiotic exposure for young children hospitalized with LRTIs. It focuses on cases at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in South Africa and addresses antimicrobial stewardship in a high-burden setting. The study considers the balance between avoiding overuse of antibiotics and ensuring patient safety in a resource-constrained environment. The intervention integrates rapid CRP testing with a structured clinical severity tool to support clinical decision-making. Results will inform strategies to optimize antibiotic prescribing for paediatric LRTIs in LMICs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could reduce unnecessary antibiotic exposure while maintaining safety for young children with LRTIs.
How similar studies have gone: Prior antimicrobial stewardship efforts with rapid diagnostics and scoring tools have shown promise, but this exact CRP plus PREPARE approach is relatively novel in this setting.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Children between the ages of 2-24 months * Clinician diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) Exclusion Criteria: * Transferred from other hospitals with more than 24 hours of hospitalisation * Hospitalisation within the preceding 30 days
Where it's running
-
Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Lucy N Wilson, MBBCh, MMED, FCPaed — University of Witwatersrand, South Africa
- Study coordinator: Lucy N Wilson, MBBCH, MMED, FCPaed
- Email: lucy.wilson@wits-vida.org
- Phone: +27 72 326 7888
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.