AbstractLower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are the leading cause of death among infectious diseases and responsible for large burden of avoidable morbidity and mortality in childhood. The present study was done to assess the prescribing pattern of drugs in LRTI in children aged 1 month14 years old using WHO core antibiotics drug prescribing indicators. This was a cross sectional, record based study carried out for a period of 1 year in the Department of Pharmacology in collaboration with Department of Pediatrics, PBMH, KIMS, Bhubaneswar. This study was approved by KIMS research committee and institutional ethics committee. Study states that LRTI (42%) was highest in the incidence followed by WALRI. Most commonly prescribed antibiotic was Cephalosporin group (Ceftiraxone) followed by Amikacin. Levosalbutamol with Ipratropium was the most commonly used nebulizing drug followed by combination with steroid (budesonide). Antibiotics were prescribed for 245(100%) patients followed by bronchodilators, antipyretics, cough medications, oxygen inhalation, nasal decongestants, steroids and others which include multivitamins. Admissions of males (70.6%) were more as compared to females (29.4%) indicating gender bias is still persisting in society. Antibiotics stewardship is very much needed to prevent its overuse and emergence of resistances.
Keywords: Hospital Stay; Prescription Pattern; Antibiotics; LRTI.