ASSESSMENT OF PRESCRIPTION PATTERN OF ANTIBIOTICS IN PAEDIATRICS WITH RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS AND GASTRO INTESTINAL TRACT INFECTIONS

Antibiotics are the main drugs used for treatment of infections and are most commonly prescribed in Paediatric department. Their overuse has prompted the risk of Bacterial Drug Resistance and need for the use of Antibiotics judiciously in Paediatric Practice. It has been reported that there are about 20-50% of usage of antibiotics is questionable or inappropriate. The study was conducted to assess (i) Drug use pattern of Antibiotics in Paediatrics with Respiratory tract infections and Gastro intestinal tract infections. (ii) To measure the drug use pattern in pediatrics according to WHO Prescribing patterns. A Prospective observational study was conducted in inpatient and outpatient department of pediatrics. Patient Demographics and drugs prescribed were collected and analyzed. National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) or Essential Drug List (EDL) is taken for the assessment of rational drug use. In this study of age group 1 day to 18 years, most of the infections are present below 1 year age group. To conclude, In Respiratory tract infections, Cephalosporin's are most commonly prescribed of 40% followed by Pencillins 29%, where as in Gastro intestinal tract infections, Floroquinolones are commonly prescribed of 48% followed by cephalosporin's 28%. The Prescribing patterns according to WHO Prescribing indicators are less likely followed. Keywords: National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM), Essential Drug List (EDL), Respiratory tract infections (RTIs), Gastro intestinal tract infections, World Health Organisation (WHO).