Mukka, M.Helve, O.Mustonen, P.Kaila, M.Pesälä, S.2025-10-272025-10-272025-10-14Mukka, M, Helve, O, Mustonen, P, Kaila, M & Pesälä, S 2025, 'Finnish Healthcare Professionals' Online Searches for Paediatric Oral Antibiotics : COVID-19 Impact, 2017-2023', Acta Paediatrica. https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.70352http://hdl.handle.net/10138/603060Aim This study explores the trends in healthcare professionals' searches for children's oral suspension of antibiotics and antibiotic prescriptions, as well as COVID-19 diagnoses in children under 5-6 years of age.Methods In Finland, Physician's Databases serve as a medical online source for healthcare professionals. Searches for seven oral suspensions of antibiotics (amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, phenoxymethylpenicillin, cephalexin, azithromycin, clarithromycin and erythromycin) were analysed in 2017-2023, alongside children's antibiotic prescriptions from the Social Insurance Institution, as well as children's COVID-19 diagnoses from the register of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.Results There were 1 231 383 antibiotic searches, 492 407 antibiotic prescriptions and 42 293 diagnoses for COVID-19 in children. Amoxicillin was searched most (498 276) with clear seasonal patterns, and the decrease appeared in searches and prescriptions during March 2020-August 2021. Amoxicillin searches also showed an increase with two major peaks during September 2021-August 2023.Conclusion Healthcare professionals' online information-seeking for children's oral suspension of antibiotics showed a great decrease in searches after the start of COVID-19 but rapidly increased 2 years later. Information-seeking behaviour may be used to monitor the clinical use of antibiotics in children.6engcc_by_ncinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessCovid-19Anti-bacterial agentsBacterial infectionsHealth personnelGynaecology and paediatricsArticleopenAccesse3d51ee6-27d8-4f05-8557-900ae311fe5641085239001592570600001