“STUDY ON ANTIBIOTIC PRESCRIPTION PATTERN IN LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS IN PAEDIATRICS IN TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL”

Tupakula Karthik Babu*, Dr. B. Sai Vikas, Vishwas A.T.L, Dr. Joga Sasidhar, Vinnakota Saikrishna, Dr. R. Sainath Gupta

ABSTRACT

Background: Antibiotics are strong and effective medicines, used to treat various bacterial infections. Respiratory infections are the most common infections among paediatrics. Antibiotics are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in paediatrics. Overuse and inappropriate use of antibiotics has led to antibiotic resistance and treatment failure. Objectives: To assess the prescription pattern of antibiotics in lower respiratory infections in paediatrics of a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital. Study Design: A retrospective study was done in a paediatric department in Mandya district hospital. Ethical clearance was obtained. The patient data was collected by using well designed patient data collection form and their prescription were recorded and analysed. Result: A total of 100 cases of various infections are examined among that 55% male and 45% female. Respiratory tract infection is the most common infectious disease in paediatrics is 67% and among them pneumonia is comparatively more than the wheezing associated LRTI, bronchitis and asthma i.e. 52%, 11%, 2%, 2% respectively. Out of 67 patients, suffering from respiratory tract infections 33 patients received two antibiotics in prescription followed 28 patients received single antibiotic, 4 patients received three antibiotics and 2 patients received four antibiotics. Conclusion: Respiratory tract infection is the most common infectious diseases, which includes pneumonia, wheezing associated LRTI, bronchitis, and asthma. Among them pneumonia comprises the greater portion in the paediatrics.

Keywords: Antibiotic, Paediatrics, Prescription pattern, Resistance, rational.