Abstract

DRUG UTILIZATION PATTERN IN PAEDIATRIC POPULATION IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL, HYDERABAD

Syed Jaffer*, Syed Muneb Ahmed, Ayesha Naseer, Syeda Maimoona Maqsood, Juveria Siddiqua, Faizan Hussaini and Anupama Koneru

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Abstract

Background: There have been numerous drug utilization reviews conducted all over the world, but only a few studies have been conducted on the drug use patterns among children, especially in India. Infectious diseases such as acute and chronic are more common in infants and children, which account for 20 to 25% of the world's population. The incomplete development of a paediatric physiological condition, as well as the speed of development and rapid growth of a child, requires accurate diagnosis and evidence-based treatment. Hence this study endeavors to describe-quantitatively and qualitatively-the characteristics of the populations using each drug (or class of drugs) and/or the conditions in which users are taking it (for example, indications, duration of treatment, dosage, previous or associated treatments and compliance). Methodology: The study was conducted at Aster Prime Hospital in Hyderabad, India, and was conducted for a period of six months. It was a retrospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study, and the treatment charts of patients in the inpatient ward of the pediatric department were included. Results: The study was approved by the ethics committee. In the study, the sample size taken was 125 pediatric patients and all the patient data is available in medical records. The study was performed for 6months with regular follow up. We included individuals of both genders of age few days to 18 years. The patients with autoimmune disorders, Type-I diabetes and cancer were excluded. The age distribution among enrolled patients was Neonates (Up to 4 weeks): 11 (8.8 %), Infants (Up to 1 year): 3(2.4%), Children 1 (1 to 6 years): 21(16.8%), Children 2 (6 to 12 years): 35(28%), Children 3 (12 to 18 years): 55(44%) were included. The distribution of diagnosis pattern among pediatrics patients was 31(24.8%) with Viral Pyrexia, 5(4%) with Enteric Fever, 4 (3.2%) with Hepatic Problems, 3(2.4%) with kidney problems, 2 (1.6%) with Meningitis, 3 (2.4%) with seizures, 8 (6.4%) with Cerebral Palsy, 4 (3.2%) with Acute Gastroenteritis, 5 (4%) with Fracture, 7(5.6%) with Sepsis,6 (4.8%) with URTI and 47 (37.6%) with other Diagnose. Conclusion: In this retrospective study, we found many instances of irrationality in drug prescription, such as the use of antibiotics for patients with viral pyrexia, which led us to suggest the incorporation of more stringent guidelines, like the inclusion of antibiotics and restricted antibiotics proforma to instill proper empiric and definitive antibiotic use among pediatric patients. Malnutrition rates in this population were also high, indicating that appropriate dosing and dosage forms are needed in order to prevent detrimental outcomes.

Keywords: Paediatric, DUR, Antibiotic, Malnutrition, Prescription.