Abstract

STUDY OF RATIONAL DRUG PRESCRIBING PATTERN FOR RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION IN PEDIATRICS IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Peter Kandel*, Dr. Beulah Milton, Irfan Shaik, Poojashree K. S. and Fredina Francis

Abstract

Background: In developing countries Respiratory tract infections are the major cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric population. There is polypharmacy, over use and also inappropriate use of antibiotics without culture sensitivity test worldwide. The present study was conducted to study the rational prescribing pattern of respiratory tract infections. Objective: To evaluate the prescribing pattern of drugs in respiratory tract infection in paediatrics. Methods: This reterospective study was conducted for a period of six months in a hospital for paediatric inpatients. Results: A total of 150 cases were studied. Male 96(64%), Female 54(36%). Age wise distribution was done 0-30 days 3(2%), 1-12 months38 (25.3%), 1-14 years 109(73%). Out of 150 cases the most commonly prescribed category of drugs was antibiotics(19.06%). In this study, the highly prescribed category of antibiotics were penicillins106(38.12%), followed by betalactum antibiotics 101(36.33%). In our study it was observed that 21.05% of the cases were treated with single antibiotic therapy, 60.9% of the cases were treated with 2 drug antibiotic therapy.15.7% of the cases were treated with 3 drug combination of antibiotics and 2.25% cases were treated with four drug combination of antibiotics. Conclusion: In above study the prescription pattern of antibiotics is not rational as there is polypharmacy, over use and also inappropriate use of antibiotics without culture sensitivity test. There is a need of educational programmes in order to bring up the rational use of antibiotics and make prescribers to follow standard antibiotic prescribing guidelines for Respiratory tract infections.

Keywords: Polypharmacy, penicillins, pediatric.