A Study to Assess and Analyze the Prescribing Pattern of Antibiotics in the Pediatric Department of a South Indian Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital

Author(s)

Baishnab, S., Peter, A., Rajan, A.S., Varghese, P.

Author's Affiliation

Abstract

To assess and analyse the prescribing and utilisation pattern of anti-microbial agents by the physicians to the in-patients in paediatric department and to study various parameters of rational drug use. A prospective observational review of the antibiotic prescription was carried out in the paediatric department of a tertiary care teaching hospital. 200 case records of the patients were identified, assessed, evaluated and analysed for the rational use of antibiotics for a period of 6 months. Total of 200 inpatient prescriptions were collected. Majority of the patients (43%) were in the age group 1-5 years. Male patients (61%) were comparatively more than female patients (39%). Majority of the patients [135 (67.5%)] were prescribed with single antibiotics. Out of 200 prescriptions, Cephalosporins [117 (41.34%)] were the most widely prescribed antibiotic class. In this study, 164 (57.95%) patients were treated with monotherapy and 119 (42.05%) were treated with combinational therapy. The total number of antibiotics prescribed by generic name was 50 (17.72%) and by brand name was 233 (82.3%). Pneumonia (19.5%) was the most prevalent diagnostic condition followed by dengue fever (17.5%). Antibiotic prescribing pattern was analysed and rationality of the prescriptions were assessed for parameters such as dose, frequency, route of administration of antibiotics and drug interactions. The emerging antimicrobial resistance is a global concern. So, detailed rational knowledge of antibiotic prescribing pattern must be implemented in the clinical practice.

Keywords

Prescribing Patterns, Antibiotics, Paediatric, Rational Drug Use

Cite This Article

Baishnab, S., Peter, A., Rajan, A.S., Varghese, P. (2016). A Study to Assess and Analyze the Prescribing Pattern of Antibiotics in the Paediatric Department of a South Indian Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital, International Journal for Pharmaceutical Research Scholars (IJPRS), 5(4), 140-146.