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ELECTRONIC ARTICLE: Martin Chalumeau, Sylvie Tonnelier, Philippe d’Athis, Jean-Marc Tréluyer, Dominique Gendrel, Gérard Bréart, and Gérard Pons Fluoroquinolone Safety in Pediatric Patients: A Prospective, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study in France Pediatrics 2003; 111: e714-e719 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

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Do the Math : adverse reaction rates

Quinolone Advocacy Quinolone Antibiotics Adverse Reaction Forum   (13 June 2003)

Re: Please read the article again

Martin Chalumeau, Gerard Breart, and Gerard Pons.   (19 June 2003)

Do the Math : adverse reaction rates 13 June 2003
Quinolone Advocacy Quinolone Antibiotics Adverse Reaction Forum, Disabled None/No Competing interests Send letter to journal: Re: Do the Math : adverse reaction rates quinolones{at}yahoogroups.com Quinolone Advocacy Quinolone Antibiotics Adverse Reaction Forum	Martin Chalumeau, Sylvie Tonnelier, Philippe d’Athis, Jean-Marc Tréluyer, Dominique Gendrel, Gérard Bréart, and Gérard Pons Fluoroquinolone Safety in Pediatric Patients: A Prospective, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study in France Pediatrics 2003; 111: e714-e719 This article states that 276 Pediatric Patients received Fluoroquinolones of which 52 sustained adverse reactions to Fluoroquinolones reflecting a 19% adverse reaction rate. This article does not reflect the higher adverse reaction rate.
Re: Please read the article again 19 June 2003
Martin Chalumeau, MD INSERM U149, Paris, France, Gerard Breart, and Gerard Pons. Send letter to journal: Re: Re: Please read the article again martin.chalumeau{at}wanadoo.fr Martin Chalumeau, et al.	Sir, We appreciate your interest in our article. You suggest that the estimation of the potential adverse events incidence was miscalculated. However, as clearly stated in the article, the incidence should not be calculated on the whole population exposed to fluoroquinolones (n = 276), but only on the 264 (96%) patients who were not lost to follow up at the end of the 15-day observation period. These 264 patients experienced 52 potential adverse events. The overall rate of potential adverse events was indeed 19.7%. Many thanks for giving us the opportunity to discuss once again about the important topic of the tolerance of fluoroquinolones in children. We understand that the problem of side effects of drugs in pediatrics patients may raise emotional reactions. Unfortunately there is no side- effect free drug. This is the reason why drugs should only be prescribed after considering the potential harm of the medicine and the potential consequences of the untreated disease. Prescriptions are like comments on manuscripts: we should think twice before writing. Sincerely yours.