Abstract
Objective: To assess the antibiotic prescription practice in pediatric in – patient department for common childhood illnesses.
Study Design: A Retrospective analytical study
Place and Duration: At Department of Pediatric Medicine Nishtar Medical University Multan, over a period of one year from 1st
January to 31st December 2016.
Methodology: The clinical charts of admitted children 1 month – 15 years of age were analyzed. Children who received at least one
antibiotic were included in the study. Along with demographic data, indication (diagnosis), name and duration of antibiotic, duration
of hospital stay and the outcome were assessed. Number of antibiotics per prescription, days of antibiotics therapy/100 admission
days, percentage of broad-spectrum antibiotic used and frequency of polypharmacy (≥ 2 antibiotics) were calculated to assess rational
use of antibiotics.
Results: At least one antibiotic was prescribed to 85% of admitted children. Most common indications for antibiotic were pneumonia
(35.13%) followed by meningitis (20.05%). Acute gastroenteritis (5.8%) and bronchiolitis (3.6%) were the two indications where
antibiotic use was probably inappropriate. Mean number of antibiotics per patient was 2.0 (± 0.56) with mean duration of antibiotic
therapy 8.4 (± 7.4) days. Most common antibiotic class used was cephalosporins (80%) and most common antibiotic prescribed was
Ceftriaxone (64.12%). Two antibiotics were prescribed to 76% of the children. A significant proportion of the children received
Vancomycin (36%) and carbapenem (19%).
Conclusion: The study indicated over – prescription of cephalosporins, vancomycin and carbapenem and irrational use of antibiotics
in gastroenteritis and bronchiolitis.
Muhammad Khalid, Javaria Rasheed, Nabila Wakeel, Tooba Aleem, Fauzia Zafar. (2019) Antibiotic prescription practices in pediatric in-patient department of a Tertiary Care Hospital, Isra Medical Journal, Volume 11, Issue 2.
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