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Prescribing pattern of antibiotics in lower respiratory tract infection among children aged less than 5 years

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Original Article

Author Details : Hemamalini MB, Rekha MB, Basavaraj Bhandare, Adarsh E

Volume : 3, Issue : 4, Year : 2016

Article Page : 182-185

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Abstract

Introduction: Acute respiratory infection (ARI) is the largest cause of morbidity across the world in children under five years of age. Antibiotics are the most commonly prescribed medications for Lower respiratory tract infection [LRTI]. Rational use of antibiotic is very necessary to avoid resistance.
Objective: To evaluate the pattern of antibiotic use among children under 5yrs of age.
Methods: A hospital based, non-interventional, prospective, observational study was carried out between April 2014 to September 2014 in the department of Pediatrics in collaboration with pharmacology department, Rajarajeswari Medical College and Hospital, a tertiary care hospital, Bangalore. The demographic data, diagnosis, type of drug, dosage duration of treatment and hospital stay was collected from inpatients admitted to pediatric ward over a period of 6 months. The descriptive analysis was done and was presented as mean and percentage.
Results: A total of 250 in patient case records of children with LRTI were analyzed. In this study less than 1 year children constituted highest percentage (59.2%).56.8%were males and 43.2% were females. A total of 1045 drugs were prescribed in 250 prescriptions (4.18 drugs/ prescription). Brochiolitis (41.6%) was the most common diagnosis followed by Bronchopneumonia(33.6%). 32.77% of patients receive one antibiotic, 39.49% received 2 antibiotics and 27.73% of patients received 3 antibiotics. Most commonly prescribed antibiotic was Amoxcillin+clavulanic acid(58%), followed by Amikacin(57%) and Ceftriaxone(53%).
Conclusion: It is evident from the present study that antibiotics were most commonly prescribed for LRTI. Bronchiolitis is most often associated with a viral etiology and use of unnecessary antibiotics for viral LRTI will lead to increased threat of antibiotic resistance.

Keywords: LRTI, Antibiotics, Children

How to cite : Hemamalini Mb, Rekha Mb, Bhandare B, Adarsh E, Prescribing pattern of antibiotics in lower respiratory tract infection among children aged less than 5 years. Indian J Pharm Pharmacol 2016;3(4):182-185

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