Published September 30, 2023 | Version https://impactfactor.org/PDF/IJPCR/15/IJPCR,Vol15,Issue9,Article44.pdf
Journal article Open

Drug Prescription Trends in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at a Tertiary Care Private Teaching Hospital in Central India

Authors/Creators

  • 1. MD, Pharmacology, Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Raipur Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur
  • 2. MD, Pharmacology, Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Sawangi (M), Wardha
  • 3. MD paediatrics, assistant professor, Department of Paediatrics, Raipur Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur
  • 4. MD Community Medicine, Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Raipur Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur

Description

Context: Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) treat critically ill or premature newborns. A variety of medications are used in neonatal intensive care units. Lack of knowledge about these drugs and unethical marketing of these drugs lead to irrational prescriptions in clinical practice. Aims: To determine drug prescribing trends in NICU at a tertiary care private teaching hospital. Settings and Design: A retrospective observational study was conducted in a NICU of teaching hospital during the period of 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2021. Methods and Material: All new-born admitted to the NICU during the study period are included in this study. Demographic information, delivery details, the purpose of admission, final diagnosis, and medication prescribed was collected from case sheets. As per the WHO-ATC classification system, prescribed drugs are divided into different categories based on their effects on different organs and system. Statistical analysis used: The data collected was entered in Excel and analyzed with the help of SPSS ver 2020. Descriptive statistics were used in the form of percentages and proportions were used to express the results. Results: Total 657 neonates admitted in NICU during the study period. 54.2% were males and 45.8% were females. Total number of drugs prescribed was 2484 and average number of drugs per neonate was 3.78. Low birth weight (2.5 kg) and preterm birth (37 weeks) were significantly more exposed to drugs. Neonatal sepsis was the most common morbid condition observed (39.3%), followed by birth asphyxia (12.7%) and neonatal jaundices (11.4%). In the majority of cases, antibiotics were prescribed to neonates, and among antibiotics, ampicillin was the most commonly prescribed medicine. Conclusions: Periodic surveys should be conducted over time in order to facilitate rational drug use in neonates due to their immature bodies and to avoid adverse drug reactions in neonates.

 

 

Abstract (English)

Context: Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) treat critically ill or premature newborns. A variety of medications are used in neonatal intensive care units. Lack of knowledge about these drugs and unethical marketing of these drugs lead to irrational prescriptions in clinical practice. Aims: To determine drug prescribing trends in NICU at a tertiary care private teaching hospital. Settings and Design: A retrospective observational study was conducted in a NICU of teaching hospital during the period of 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2021. Methods and Material: All new-born admitted to the NICU during the study period are included in this study. Demographic information, delivery details, the purpose of admission, final diagnosis, and medication prescribed was collected from case sheets. As per the WHO-ATC classification system, prescribed drugs are divided into different categories based on their effects on different organs and system. Statistical analysis used: The data collected was entered in Excel and analyzed with the help of SPSS ver 2020. Descriptive statistics were used in the form of percentages and proportions were used to express the results. Results: Total 657 neonates admitted in NICU during the study period. 54.2% were males and 45.8% were females. Total number of drugs prescribed was 2484 and average number of drugs per neonate was 3.78. Low birth weight (2.5 kg) and preterm birth (37 weeks) were significantly more exposed to drugs. Neonatal sepsis was the most common morbid condition observed (39.3%), followed by birth asphyxia (12.7%) and neonatal jaundices (11.4%). In the majority of cases, antibiotics were prescribed to neonates, and among antibiotics, ampicillin was the most commonly prescribed medicine. Conclusions: Periodic surveys should be conducted over time in order to facilitate rational drug use in neonates due to their immature bodies and to avoid adverse drug reactions in neonates.

 

 

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https://impactfactor.org/PDF/IJPCR/15/IJPCR,Vol15,Issue9,Article44.pdf

Dates

Accepted
2023-08-30

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References

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