Cardiac murmur in neonates.

INDIAN PEDIATRICS 397 VOLUME 42APRIL 17, 2005 only the tip of the iceberg and a large number of other steroid babies go undetected. Guidelines for dispensing over the counter steroids in developing countries are lacking(1). The irrational prescriptions of steroids as treatment for common cold both by practitioners of allopathy and alternative systems of medicine are increasing. Kshirsagar, et al. estimated that more than 30% of prescriptions by medical practitioners are irrational(2). Apart from the irrational prescriptions, the health awareness among the general public is also lacking to the extent that the rapid weight gain due to steroids, basically a side effect is mistaken for good health. As a result, multiple vials of this drug are bought everyday over the counter. In order to reduce this problem, doctors should undergo continuing medical education programs highlighting the harmful effects of steroid misuse. The government can enact stringent law for restricting over the counter dispensing of harmful drugs. Adhisivam B., Mahadevan S., Department of Pediatrics, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry 605 006, India. REFERENCES