Pediatr. praxi. 2025;26(3):163-165 | DOI: 10.36290/ped.2025.031

Doxycycline - a needless concern for pediatricians?

MUDr. Miroslav Belbl

Dětské a dorostové oddělení, Nemocnice Písek, a. s.

Doxycycline is an antibiotic associated with adverse effects for which it is used with caution, especially in the pediatric population. As has become apparent in recent years, due to the increasing number of cases of pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, including those with a severe course, it has been and increasingly needs to be considered for therapy in the pediatric population. The increasing resistance of these bacteria to macrolide antibiotics may be a major reason. Fortunately, according to new studies, the new generation of tetracycline antibiotics no longer pose such a risk of tooth and bone damage compared with tetracycline alone. The article discusses the prevalence of mycoplasma resistance to macrolide antibiotics, the possible use of doxycycline even in the youngest children and the indications in which its widespread use would be most appropriate.

Keywords: doxycycline, mycoplasma, antibiotic resistence.

Accepted: June 16, 2025; Published: July 4, 2025  Show citation