Prescription Pattern of Antibiotics in NICU in Government General Hospital, Kakinada

Objective: To evaluate the prescription pattern of antibiotics in NICU to promote rational prescription to reduce the emergence of resistant strains. Methods: This is a Retrospective Observational study conducted over the period of 3 months from January, 2018 to March, 2018. Clinical and therapeutic data was collected, analysed and evaluated from case sheets of NICU. Data from antibiotic prescription (name, dose, frequency, route of administration, duration) was collected. Results: A total of 300 prescriptions were studied. Ampicillin and amikacin (40.6%) were the commonest antibiotics used followed by cefotaxime (18.33%) and sulfacef (6.66 %). The maximum antibiotics were in generic form. 9.99% were prescribed in the form of fixed dose combination. Average antibiotic prescribed per patient is 1.15. Conclusion: Ampicillin and Amikacin were most commonly used. In some cases, increased frequency of antibiotics use was seen. Guidelines for the use of antibiotics in neonates are required.