Abstract

PRESCRIBING PATTERN OF DRUGS IN PEDIATRIC DEPARTMENT IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL

Shaik Ali Basha*, Sathiswara B. and Dr. Siddarama R.

ABSTRACT

Background: To assess the prescribing pattern in pediatric patients in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Methods: This was a prospective observational study in pediatric department. Data was collected by using standard patient data entry form from May to July 2017. All the inpatients of pediatric department were included and PNICU patients were excluded. Results: A total of 184 patients were analysed, where majority belongs to males (65.21%). Age range was considered from new born to 15 years, where New born to 3years age group were found maximum with 76.08%. Average age was found to be 2.57 years with a standard deviation of 3.35 years. Major percent (38.04%) of patients had 1 to 5 kgs of body weight and 35kgs was found to be the maximum body weight. Ten disease conditions were seen in the present population in which dengue fever (22.82%) was major, followed by lower respiratory tract infection (21.19%) and hepatitis & early sepsis were found least with 1.63%. On an average 5 drugs were prescribed in which 2.73 (approx 3) drugs were antibiotics. Antibiotics (53.73%) are the major class of drugs prescribed, in which aminoglycosides (amikacin) accounted for a higher percent (35.18%), followed by cephalosporins (31.61%). On an average the length of hospitalisation and antibiotic therapy was 5 days. Conclusion: Antibiotics are the major class of drugs prescribed in the pediatric population in this study. Judicious use of antibiotics is necessary for better patient care and better therapeutic outcome, thereby reducing the antibiotic resistance as well as drug related adverse effects.

Keywords: Pediatric, Antibiotic, Prescribing pattern.