Prescribing pattern of antibiotics among paediatric patients admitted in a tertiary care hospital: A prospective study

Background

The inappropriate use of antibiotics in children for viral infections or when the infection is not clearly established is a significant global health issue. This practice contributes to the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Thus, understanding prescribing pattern of antibiotics is essential.

Objective

To analyse the antibiotic prescribing pattern in paediatric patients of a tertiary care hospital and to analyse consequences associated with the therapy. METHODOLOGY: This study was a six-month prospective observational study carried out in the paediatric department of a tertiary care hospital (Karnataka Medical College & Research Institute, Hubballi).

Results

A total of 251 cases were evaluated, with males comprising the majority (65.33%) and the ‘childhood’ age group population accounting for 73.65% of cases. Respiratory disorders represented the most prevalent diagnosis (35.05%). Overall, 541 antibiotic prescriptions were recorded, with ceftriaxone being the most frequently utilized agent (29.75%). the highest sensitivity was observed for imipenem (14.74%) and meropenem (14.34%), whereas cefuroxime (13.94%) and cefazolin (13.54%) demonstrated the highest resistance rates.

Conclusion

The report finds that pediatric hospital admissions are driven mainly by respiratory infections and that antibiotics more often broad-spectrum agents are frequently started empirically with limited culture confirmation, leading to delays in targeted therapy and contributing to adverse reactions, longer stays, higher costs, and rising antimicrobial resistance. Keywords: Paediatrics, antibiotics, prescribing pattern, antibiotic resistance, sensitivity and resistance