Abstract

PRESCRIBING PATTERN OF DRUGS IN PAEDIATRIC IN-PATIENTS WITH LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

*Dr. Shruthi K.V., Dr. Basavaraj Bhandare and Dr. Adarsh E.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Paediatric population is prone to suffer from recurrent infections of the respiratory tract. The present study is done to assess the prescribing pattern of drugs in Lower Respiratory Tract Infection (LRTI) in children aged 1 month to 14 years oldusing WHO core drug prescribing indicators. Materials and methods: A non-interventional, prospective, observational study was done in paediatric inpatient department of Rajarajeswari Medical College and Hospital, Bangalore from September 2014 to December 2014.A total of 150 case records of paediatric patients were analysed. Results: 1034drugs (6.9 drugs per prescription) were prescribed. Males were 94 (62.7%) and Females 56 (37.3%). The prevalence of LRTI was more pronounced in age group of 1 year to 5 years (42.7%) followed byless than 1 year age group (29.3%). Bronchopneumonia (37.3%) was the most common diagnosis followed by Bronchiolitis(30%). The most commonly prescribed drugs were antibiotics (97.3%) followed by bronchodilators (90%).Most commonly prescribed antibiotic was Amoxicillin + Clavulanic acid (57.33%) followed by Amikacin (40%). 45.3% patients received one antibiotic and 33.3% patients received two antibiotics.Most commonly prescribed bronchodilator was salbutamol (88.67%) followed by budesonide (70%). Steroids were prescribed in 18% patients. Only 13% drugs were prescribed by generic name.290 (28%) FDC’swere prescribed and one rational FDC observed was amoxicillin+clavulanic acid. Conclusions: Most patients receivedonly one antibiotic.Prescribing by generic name was less and polypharmacy was observed. Irrational use of antibiotics for bronchiolitis was also observed in our study.

Keywords: Children, LRTI, Inpatients, Drug utilisation.