A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF PRESCRIBING PATTERN FOR ACUTE RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS IN CHILDERN IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL

Objective: To study prescribing pattern for acute respiratory infections in children attending outpatient department of Paediatrics, J.L.N. Hospital, Ajmer, Rajasthan. Material and Method: The study was carried out retrospectively by analyzing the copies of prescriptions of patients who had visited the O.P.D. of the paediatrics department of J.L.N. Hospital Ajmer. A total of 350 prescriptions having written diagnosis ARI/URTI/common cold were selected for study. Information on demographic profile and treatment were spread over three different age groups (i.e. Neonates: up to one month of age, Infants: 1 month to 1year and Children: 1-14 years). Each prescription then was analyzed as per objectives of study. Results: Male patients were more as compared to females and most of the patients were in the age group of 1-14 years. Antihistaminics were the most frequently prescribed class of drugs (28.52%) followed by antimicrobials (26.35%). Antihistaminics constituted 63.08% of respiratory drugs prescribed. Antimicrobials were prescribed in 86.57% of the prescriptions and Cefpodoxime was the most frequently prescribed antimicrobial agent followed by Amoxicillin-clavulinic acid combination. Of total medicine formulations prescribed, 56.09% were in the form of fixed dose combinations (FDCs) and 33.30% were matching with those listed in WHO model list of essential medicines (EML). Conclusion: There is a scope of improvement in prescribing pattern regarding prescribing of antimicrobial agents, medicines prescribed from essential drug list and usage of fixed dose combinations.