Publications
Use of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in Danish Adolescents and Young Adults 2018–2025. H. Kildegaard, J. H. Andersen, R. K. Vinding, J. T. Kloppenborg, A. Pottegård (2026)
In this study, we mapped the use GLP1-receptor agonists among young Danish people aged 12-24 years during the period 2018-2025. We found that the use increased more than 50-fold during the period, especially driven by semaglutide for weight loss treatment. A large proportion of the users did not have diabetes, 33% had psychiatric comorbidity, and a notable number of the treatments were administered by non-pediatricians and non-endocrinologists. The results point to the need of closer involvement of specialists, systematic monitoring, and more knowledge about the long-term safety of the use GLP-1-receptot agonists in young people.
Temporal Trends and Geographic Variation in Frenotomy Procedures Among Infants. H. Sonne, A. Pottegård, T. Hjuler, G. Zachariassen, H. Kildegaard (2026)
In this study we assessed the use of tongue ties in Danish infants. The study included all infants born in Denmark during 2014 to 2024 and showed that the procedure is becoming much more common. In 2024, around 12% of all infants underwent the tong tie procedure, but large difference between municipalities were found. The results highlight the need for more unified and evidence-based recommendations for when the tongue-tie procedure should be used.
Insights gained from drug utilization research to improve safe clinical practice for children and adolescents in Denmark. H. Kildegaard, A. Pottegård (2026)
In this paper, we provide an overview of how studies of drug utilization can be used to influence treatment practices. The paper shows how such studies can identify areas in which medication is vastly used, where the use varies considerably, or where the treatment does not follow the current guidelines. Using examples from Danish register-based studies, we describe how this knowledge can be used to prioritize research, strengthen monitoring, target initiatives and evaluate new guidelines or regulatory measures.
Antibiotic use among Danish children and adolescents 2010–2023: a nationwide drug utilisation study. S. J. V. Pedersen, M. Reilev, T. B. Henriksen, H. Kildegaard (2025)
In this study we examined the use of antibiotics in Danish children and adolescents less than 18 years of age from 2010 to 2023. We found that the use of antibiotics decreased markedly leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic and decreased further during the lockdowns but increased after the pandemic. Even though the development over time indicates a more rational use of antibiotics, the study also showed that amoxicillin remains widely used in Denmark. It is important since narrow-spectrum penicillin is often recommended as first line treatment of common respiratory infections in children, and the results support the need of continued focus on the rational use of antibiotics.
Ocular Antibiotic Use in Young Danish Children From 2016 to 2024. H. Sonne, A. Pottegård, K. Sommerlund, C. F. Raft, H. Kildegaard (2025)
In this study we investigated the use of antibiotics for eye infections in Danish children less than 6 years of age from 2016 to 2024. The study was a part of the Vælg Klogt recommendation, focusing on reduced unnecessary treatment in the health system. Many eye infections in young children do not require treatment and often antibiotics have limited effect. The study showed that the utilization remains high, especially in the youngest children, and that large differences across municipalities and regions persist. Thus, the results indicate that a notable share of the treatment could possibly be avoided, supporting the need for more a more cautious use of ocular antibiotics in young children.