Antibiotic DurationShort Versus Standard of Care Antibiotic Duration for Children Hospitalized for CAP

Inclusion Criteria (ALL of the following must be met):

1. Children aged 3 months to <18 years old
2. Hospitalized in either the acute care or the pediatric intensive care units
3. Clinically diagnosed with uncomplicated bacterial community acquired pneumonia (as determined by the treating physician)
4. Radiological findings suggestive of pneumonia (such as consolidation, lobar or interstitial infiltrates)
5. Achieved clinical stability within 72 hours from the first antibiotic dose (clinical stability includes being off supplemental oxygen/ventilatory support and temperature remaining < 38 Celsius).

Exclusion Criteria (presence of ANY of the following will exclude a potential participant):

1. Hemodynamic instability at any point during hospitalization that required inotropic support
2. Requirement of respiratory support > 72 hours
3. Presence of a parapneumonic effusion >10 mm on decubitus x-ray or greater than ¼ of hemithorax opacified on chest imaging
4. Need for chest tube placement
5. Extrapulmonary involvement (ie: another infection located outside of the lungs) except for otitis media if the planned treatment is ≤ 5 days
6. Pneumonia caused by known staphylococcus aureus identified from culture (blood, bronchoalveolar aspirate, tracheal aspirate, or pleural fluid)
7. Antibiotic course started >72 hours after admission
8. Antibiotics used for > 24 hours within the 2 weeks prior to admission
9. Chronic respiratory illness other than asthma or reactive airway disease
10. Immunocompromised patient (primary or secondary)
11. Primary physician refusal
12. Parent refusal
13. Non-English speakers
14. Pregnant or lactating female
15. Participant will become ≥ 18 years old at or before the time of day 14 follow up
16. Inability to adhere to follow up