Antimicrobial prescribing pattern in the treatment of acute respiratory tract infections in children in a tertiary care hospital

Evaluation of prescription pattern of antimicrobials in the treatment of respiratory tract infections in pediatric patients attending a tertiary care hospital

“…In this study it was found that 40.4% children belonged to the age group of less than 5 years, similar findings were recorded in studies by Kokani et al, Malpani et al, Tiwari et al and Mahapatra et al [10][11][12][13] This large number is perhaps because the children in this age group are more susceptible to infection, mainly due to weaning causing reduction in their immunity and getting exposed to the outside environment more often. In the present study, 2/3 rd children screened were from the outpatient department whereas 1/3 rd were from the pediatric ward.…”

“…The studies conducted by Kokani et al, Majhi et al and Baidya et al reported injectables as the major route of drug administration. 7,10,[12][13][14][15] It could be possibly because these studies had more cases of LRTI and use of injectables was appropriate considering the indication. 10,11,16,17 The use of penicillins was predominant as it is the safest antibiotic in this population and is also recommended by the American academy of pediatrics and National centre for disease control in India pertaining to antimicrobial use in pediatric population.…”

“…7,10,[12][13][14][15] It could be possibly because these studies had more cases of LRTI and use of injectables was appropriate considering the indication. 10,11,16,17 The use of penicillins was predominant as it is the safest antibiotic in this population and is also recommended by the American academy of pediatrics and National centre for disease control in India pertaining to antimicrobial use in pediatric population. Children diagnosed with LRTI received antimicrobials, anti-pyretics like paracetamol, and antiviral drugs like oseltamivir.…”

“…Similar findings were reported by number of such studies. 10,11,[16][17][18][19] Other studies have reported the use of 1 st and 3 rd generation cephalosporin, and aminoglycosides like amikacin for treating LRTI. 7,[14][15][16] Regarding the use FDCs prescribed, co-amoxiclav, FDC of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid which is from the WHO list of approved FDCs was prescribed for treating both URTI and LRTI.…”

“…Similar finding was reported by Naik et al This was in contrast to the study by Baidya et al, Kokani et al and Prajapati et al which reported drugs prescribed mainly by generic name. 7,10,[17][18][19][20][21] The most preferred dosage form was syrup as majority patients were diagnosed with URTI and were treated in outpatient department.…”