Abstract

TO ASSESS THE PRESCRIPTION PATTERN IN CHILDREN SUFFERING FROM ACUTE GASTROENTERITIS

Kanchana N. Dussa*, Zeba Fatima and Shaik Nabeela Firdous

ABSTRACT

The aim of this present study was to assess the prescription pattern in children suffering from acute gastro enteritis (GE). A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out in an in-patient department of paediatrics in secondary care hospital. Duration of study was 6 months. Total 30 children suffering from GE were included in this study after obtaining written consent from their caretaker. In this present study majority 66.6% of patients were male. Majority 46.6% of the patients were in the age group of more than 5 years. Majority 40% patients were in the weight group of more than 6 kgs to less than or equal to 12 kgs. In this present study all the patients were prescribed with antipyretics. Mostly 7.44% prescribed antibiotic was ceftriaxone to patients. The majority 25.47% followed by 16.50% of the GI drugs prescribed were zinc sulphate and ondansetron respectively. Most common 13.33% drug-drug interaction (DDI) was Amikacin and Ceftriaxone. According to national guidelines Pediatric Gastroenteritis-StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf (nih.gov) the treatment provided to the majority of the patients were symptomatic and rational. But in few cases antibiotics were prescribed due to parent’s pressure. Hence in future pharmacist need to educate parents about rational use of antibiotic and its resistance development and adverse drug reactions (ADR). Pharmacist should work in collaboration with physician to avoid drug-drug interactions and to promote rational drug therapy in these patients.

Keywords: The majority 25.47% followed by 16.50% of the GI drugs prescribed were zinc sulphate and ondansetron respectively.