Abstract

RATIONAL USE OF ANTIBIOTICS IN THE TREATMENT OF DIARRHEAL DISEASES IN THE PEDIATRIC POPULATION IN THE AGE GROUP (0-6) YRS

Dr. B. Rajesh Kannan, MBBS, MD*, P. Jeyaprabha M. Pharm, Joel Jacob# Pharm. D, Solaimalai S. Pharm. D and Dr. V. Ganesan, M Pharm, PhD

ABSTRACT

To check whether the use of antibiotics are rational in Acute Diarrhoeal Diseases in the paediatric age group (0 – 6 yrs)A retrospective study was conducted on total of 100 patients using patient profile sheets as data collection tool at Pediatrics Department, Government District Headquarters Hospital, Tiruppur.In the age group 1-3 years, the number of patients was found to be significantly less (37%) when compared to the number of patients in the age group 3-6 years (63%). Acute diarrheal diseases in children presented with various symptoms, the most being Loose Stools (85%) and vomiting in 65% of the patients. The most commonly prescribed antibiotic was Ceftriaxone 55%, followed by Amikacin (48%) and Cefotaxime (39%), anaerobic antibiotic – Metronidazole (21%), Ciprofloxacin (14%) and Gentamicin (4%). 94% of patients received antibiotics, out of which 12% received 1 antibiotic each and 82% were prescribed more than 1 antibiotic. The index of antibiotic prescribing is found to be 0.31. The mean value of IRDP was 3.103 close to the WHO optimal value of 5. Protocol of management strategy of acute diarrheal diseases in the concerned hospital was not optimal but found near to standard recommended guidelines. Educational programs with emphasis on Home management and Prevention of Diarrheal Diseases are necessary to create awareness among mothers.

Keywords: Antibiotics, Rational Use, Dehydration, ORS.