Evaluation of prescription pattern of antimicrobials in the treatment of respiratory tract infections in pediatric patients attending a tertiary care hospital

Background: Irrational use of antimicrobials is a complex and multifactorial problem in developing countries. Prescriptions not adhering to the treatment guidelines, self-medication, inappropriate drugs by patients can inadvertently lead development antimicrobial resistance. An observational study was designed evaluate pediatric population with respiratory tract infections its adherence national guidelines. Methods: This cross sectional initiated after taking institutional ethics committee permission. The prescriptions children diagnosed upper lower (LRTI) were screened. Their demographic profile details prescribed recorded. Results: Out 230 prescriptions,155 (67%) from outpatient department 75 (33%) those admitted ward. Total 145 URTI whereas 85 had LRTI. In this study, 60 received combination amoxicillin clavulanic acid (Co-amoxiclav) 66 LRTI Co-amoxiclav,18 ceftriaxone (N=18), 6 vancomycin (N=6) 18 oseltamivir either alone or combination. Other included, paracetamol for fever cough syrups. 195 brand names, 138 (70.8%) antimicrobials. Fixed dose acid, syrups available hospital pharmacy. None polypharmacy. Conclusions: treated using single more than one antiviral agent. accordance