Abstract

A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON PRESCRIPTION PATTERN OF ANTIBIOTICS FOR PEDIATRICS IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL, DAVANAGERE

Rispa Mariyam Raju*, Sampad S. Patali, Shalu Shajan, Upendra N. and J. S. Venkatesh

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Abstract

Background: Antibiotics are the most commonly prescribed drug for infections in pediatric population. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics may lead to unfavorable consequences such as antibiotic resistance, polypharmacy, drug interactions, adverse effects and high cost of therapy. Hence, a study on prescription pattern of antibiotics may help to discern the possibility of such adverse circumstances. Objectives: To evaluate the prescribing pattern of antibiotics for pediatrics using WHO core prescribing indicator. Methods: A prospective observation study was conducted for a period of 6 months in the pediatric department of Chigateri district Hospital, Davanagere. The prescriptions were enrolled on the basis of inclusion criteria. Results: A total of 130 prescriptions were analysed as per WHO prescribing indicator. Majority of the patients were presented with lower respiratory tract infection and ceftriaxone was most widely used antibiotic (39.32%).The average number of drugs per encounter was 4.53.The percentage of antibiotics prescribed was 30.16% with an average of 1.36 antibiotics per prescription. Out of 178 antibiotics, 91.01% were injectable which is much higher than WHO standard value. All of the antibiotics prescribed was from National list of essential medicines and those prescribed with generic names were 74.15%. Conclusion: Antibiotic prescription pattern was not rational as per WHO prescribing indicator as there is polypharmacy and inappropriate use of antibiotics. But it was rational regarding adhering to National List of Essential Medicine. Hence, it is imperative that prescriber should follow rational antibiotic prescription by abiding Standard Treatment Guidelines.

Keywords: Antibiotics, Pediatrics, Prescription pattern, WHO core prescribing indicator.