Antimicrobials: Use With Care to Avoid Side Effects: The highest rate of ED visits for antimicrobial adverse effects is for children under 1 year of age.

BOSTON — The recent finding that adverse reactions to antimicrobial agents cause more than 142,000 emergency department visits per year in the United States, and that the highest rate occurs in children under 1 year of age should be a wake-up call to pediatric health care providers to exercise caution when pulling out the prescription pad.