Pediatric outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy: an important option for pediatric hospitals in Germany

Outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) has been established for decades in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis. Today, prolonged intravenous antibiotic treatment is less frequently required due to the increased use of oral sequential therapy with easily absorbable antibiotics. However, when it is needed in special situations, pediatric OPAT (pOPAT) can be a beneficial and safe alternative for various reasons (especially quality of life, limited inpatient resources, treatment costs). This article takes a critical look at the current status of OPAT in children and adolescents in Germany in order to foster the integration of pOPAT into the overall concept of pediatric infectiology.