Muhammad Khalid, Javaria Rasheed, Nabila Wakeel, Tooba Aleem, Fauzia Zafar.
Antibiotic prescription practices in pediatric in-patient department of a Tertiary Care Hospital.
Isra Med J Jan ;11(2):91-5.

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.

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