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Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1998;152:207-208.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

I am writing concerning the article by Jacobsen et al (1997;151:701-704) on the controlled trial of antibiotics in the treatment of aspiration pneumonia. The study design is based on the assumption that aspiration pneumonia needs to be treated with antibiotics—otherwise the study would have included a placebo group. I am not aware of any studies that show that antibiotics are helpful.

It is of interest that in the same issue the lead editorial by Bass (p 647) questions the need for fever therapy. At one point he comments that "our society demands cure and some kind of treatment. . . ." Is it not the same for aspiration pneumonia?

Paul R. Joseph, MD
87 Cold Spring Rd
Syosset, NY 11791

In reply

Dr Joseph raises a very important question, one that we discussed extensively when designing our study. Research in children and adults with pulmonary disease secondary to aspiration of oral contents has . . . [Full Text of this Article]