Drug Utilization Study in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at a tertiary care centre, South Tamilnadu

Authors

  • Vinitha M Kanyakumari Government Medical College
  • Vijai Sundar E Kanyakumari Government Medical College

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7439/ijbr.v10i10.5286

Keywords:

Drug utilization study, NICU, Neonates, Prescription

Abstract

Objectives: To study the current trends of drug utilization pattern in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) using WHO core indicators and to find out the trend towards polypharmacy in neonates.

Methodology: A retrospective observational study was conducted from January to December 2017 in NICU at Kanyakumari Government Medical College. Data of 469 neonates were collected and analyzed.

Results: Out of 469 cases, 54% were males and 46% were females. Only 62% of them were full term babies.80% of them were admitted within 24 hours of birth. The commonest reason for hospitalization of neonates was prematurity(29%) followed by small for gestational age(16%),neonatal sepsis(8%) and birth asphyxia(7%).Average   number of drugs per patient was 2.9. 66% of the prescriptions were from WHO model list of Essential Medicines 2017. Antibiotics (82%) was the main class of drug prescribed followed by Central Nervous System drugs(8%), Respiratory drugs(4%) and CardioVascular System drugs(2%). Most frequently used drugs were Amikacin(68%), Ampicillin(55%), Piperacillin + Tazobactam fixed combination(42%), Gentamicin(31%) and Phenobarbitone(12%). Premature infants had high exposure to antibiotics and CNS drugs.

Conclusion: This study highlights the problem of over prescription of antibiotics and a trend towards polypharmacy.

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References

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Published

2019-10-31

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles

How to Cite

1.
Drug Utilization Study in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at a tertiary care centre, South Tamilnadu. Int Jour of Biomed Res [Internet]. 2019 Oct. 31 [cited 2025 Mar. 12];10(10):e5286. Available from: https://ssjournals.co.in/index.php/ijbr/article/view/5286