ANTIBIOTIC USE IN PEDIATRIC INFECTIONS; A STUDY IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Description

Objectives: Antibiotics are frequently used in tertiary care hospitals. We conducted an observational study on children admitted to a teaching hospital in south India, to make a profile of antibiotics use and suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) owing to them. Methods: Hospitalized children of either sex, aged between 1 month and 12 years, were inspected. Baseline demographic and clinical features, duration of hospital stay, antibiotics received in hospital along with dosing and indications and interest of suspected ADRs attributable to their use were recorded. Every patient was followed up till discharge, admission to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, or passing. Results: Over the year and a half report period 364 confirmations were screened. The prevalence of Antibiotics use was 80.22%. The majority of the 292 children who received Antibiotics were males (63.35%). Median age was 35 months, five children died. In most instances, either two (41%) or a single antibiotic (37.32%) was used. Ceftriaxone, co-amoxiclav, amikacin, vancomycin, and ampicillin were predominantly used. Antimalarials, antivirals and antiprotozoals were used occasionally. Average number of Antibiotics per patient was 2.2 ± 1.1 the majority (81.15%) were by parenteral route and initial choice was usually empirical. Prescriptions were usually in generic name. The antibiotic treatment went somewhere in the range of 1 and 32 days, with a middle of 8 days. Five ADRs were noted of which half were skin rash and the rest loose stools. Conclusions: The profile of Antibiotic utilize is comprehensively like prior Indian investigations. Apparent overuse of multiple Antibiotics per prescription and the parenteral route requires exploration. Antibiotics are being used empirically in the absence of policy. ADRs to Antibiotics are occasional and usually mild. The benchmark information can serve in situation analysis for antibiotic prescribing guidelines.
Keywords: Antibiotic; Pediatric infections; Adverse drug reactions; Tertiary care hospital.