Abstract

A PROSPECTIVE STUDY ON PRESCRIPTION PATTERN OF ANTIBIOTICS IN PEDIATRICS

K. Dinesh Kumar*, S. Mounika, N. Yamini and G. Rajeev Kumar

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The rising incidence of bacterial resistance to common antibiotics, particularly, multi- drug resistant pneumococci, has prompted the need to use antibiotics judiciously in pediatric practice. Antibiotic: A drug used to treat bacterial infections. Antibiotics have no effect on viral infections. Originally, an antibiotic was a substance produced by one microorganism that selectively inhibits the growth of another. Methodology: A Prospective Observational Study was conducted among three tertiary care hospitals in Hanamkonda, Warangal. 350 patients were enrolled in the study and the following information was collected: patient demographics, clinical presentation, type of antibiotic prescribed, number of antibiotics prescribed, number of essential antibiotics prescribed as per WHO and duration of hospitalization. Results: The prevalence of infectious diseases were found more in infants. More number of patients were hospitalized for only 2days. The most commonly seen infectious disease in pediatrics is AGE. A total of 2 antibiotics were prescribed in 190 patients and 1 essential antibiotic was prescribed in 205 patients. No essential antibiotic was prescribed in 61 patients. Conclusion: The most common diagnostic diseases are AGE, typhoid and LRTI. In neonates the most common diagnostic disease is respiratory distress. In children the most common diagnostic disease is LRTI. Young children are particularly vulnerable to AGE. The most common pharmacological group is cephalosporins and aminoglycosides. Our study suggests that, the stringent strategies to control irrational use of antibiotics should be implemented and guidelines should be upgraded periodically.

Keywords: Pediatrics, Antibiotics, Essential Drug List.