Pharmacoepidemiological assessment of respiratory diseases in pediatric department of a tertiary care teaching hospital

Background: Respiratory disorders are one of the most common diseases in pediatrics with an increase in morbidity and mortality. Bronchodilators, Corticosteroids and Antibiotics were used primarily for the management of respiratory disorders in Pediatric Population. Objective: To assess utilization pattern of drugs in Pediatric Respiratory diseases Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted over a period of six months in a tertiary care teaching hospital. A total of 225 case records of inpatient in pediatric department was reviewed. The relevant information was recorded in structured proforma and data was evaluated using descriptive analysis. Results: Case records of 225 patients who were admitted in the pediatric department were observed. Out of 225 patients 122(54.2%) were female children and 103(45.8%) were admitted due to respiratory diseases. Maximum number of patients was in the age group of 2-11 years (49.8%), 28 days-23 months (48.9%) and least were found in 12-18 years (1.3%). The duration of the hospital stay for most of the pediatric patients i.e., (36.4%) was found to be 5 days. Most of the patients were admitted due to cough and cold 220(47.36%). Most of the patients have been diagnosed with LRTI (42.2%). It was observed that most of the drugs prescribed were Bronchodilators (33.02%). Among Bronchodilators SABA 258(81.6%) were prescribed in which salbutamol were prescribed more (77.5%). Most of the bronchodilators were prescribed in the Nebulization form (87%) followed by oral formulation (13%). Majority of the antibiotics prescribed were Cephalosporin’s (58.8%), and among the Corticosteroids, Budesonide were prescribed most (26.32%). Conclusion: The study found over use of antibiotics and under use of steroids. Bronchodilators uses were found to be optimal. In order to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance of microbes, an antibiotic policy should be carefully instituted and implemented. Educational interventions must be implemented for health care professionals for more appropriate and cost effective prescribing.