E-ISSN 2231-3206 | ISSN 2320-4672
 

Original Research

Online Publishing Date:
04 / 07 / 2022

 


Appropriateness of drug usage in acute pediatric diarrhea – A prospective observational study

Swetha K, Shailendar Singh, Jyothi D B, Manasa M R.


Abstract
Background: Pediatric diarrhea is the 3rd foremost cause of childhood mortality all over the world. Although these are self-limiting, irrational antibiotic use and polypharmacy are prevalent in their treatment. Antimicrobial therapy is recommended in bacterial diarrhea and severely malnourished children only. Inappropriate use of drugs for the treatment of acute diarrhea can be minimized by adhering to standard guidelines.

Aims and Objectives: The objectives of this study were as follows: (1) To evaluate the appropriateness of drug treatment in Acute Pediatric Diarrhea and (2) to assess the appropriateness of antibiotic treatment in diarrhea based on modified Kunin’s criteria.

Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted for 12 months at the pediatric inpatient unit of Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences, Bidar. Prescriptions of 400 cases of acute diarrhea were evaluated for the appropriateness of drug usage using Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) guidelines and modified Kunin’s criteria. Results: Among the 400 acute diarrhea cases, majority were male (54.75%) and below 5 years (58.25%). Oral rehydration solution (ORS) was given to 337 patients and IV fluids to 324 cases. About 55.5% patients were prescribed antibiotics. In 75.67% prescriptions, the antibiotic use was not necessary (modified Kunin’s criteria category V). Only 12.5% prescriptions adhered to IAP guidelines (2006), which included ORS and Zinc. About 54.5% patients were prescribed probiotics and 80% were prescribed antiemetics (ondansetron), which is not appropriate as per guidelines.

Conclusion: Majority of patients were prescribed ORS, but only few were given zinc as an adjunctive therapy. Thus, we found that adherence to IAP 2006 guidelines was very low in our setup. Based on our observations, we suggest that prescribers should make use of standard treatment guidelines and choose appropriate drugs and their formulations so that irrational use of drugs can be minimized.

Key words: Acute Diarrhea; Indian Academy of Pediatrics; Modified Kunin’s Criteria


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

K S, Singh S, B JD, R MM. Appropriateness of drug usage in acute pediatric diarrhea – A prospective observational study. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2023; 13(2): 255-261. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.010041202220062022


Web Style

K S, Singh S, B JD, R MM. Appropriateness of drug usage in acute pediatric diarrhea – A prospective observational study. https://www.njppp.com/?mno=140245 [Access: March 14, 2024]. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.010041202220062022


AMA (American Medical Association) Style

K S, Singh S, B JD, R MM. Appropriateness of drug usage in acute pediatric diarrhea – A prospective observational study. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2023; 13(2): 255-261. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.010041202220062022



Vancouver/ICMJE Style

K S, Singh S, B JD, R MM. Appropriateness of drug usage in acute pediatric diarrhea – A prospective observational study. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. (2023), [cited March 14, 2024]; 13(2): 255-261. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.010041202220062022



Harvard Style

K, S., Singh, . S., B, . J. D. & R, . M. M. (2023) Appropriateness of drug usage in acute pediatric diarrhea – A prospective observational study. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol, 13 (2), 255-261. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.010041202220062022



Turabian Style

K, Swetha, Shailendar Singh, Jyothi D B, and Manasa M R. 2023. Appropriateness of drug usage in acute pediatric diarrhea – A prospective observational study. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 13 (2), 255-261. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.010041202220062022



Chicago Style

K, Swetha, Shailendar Singh, Jyothi D B, and Manasa M R. "Appropriateness of drug usage in acute pediatric diarrhea – A prospective observational study." National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology 13 (2023), 255-261. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.010041202220062022



MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

K, Swetha, Shailendar Singh, Jyothi D B, and Manasa M R. "Appropriateness of drug usage in acute pediatric diarrhea – A prospective observational study." National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology 13.2 (2023), 255-261. Print. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.010041202220062022



APA (American Psychological Association) Style

K, S., Singh, . S., B, . J. D. & R, . M. M. (2023) Appropriateness of drug usage in acute pediatric diarrhea – A prospective observational study. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 13 (2), 255-261. doi:10.5455/njppp.2023.13.010041202220062022