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Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Education and ResearchNOW IN
Article

Antimicrobial Utilization in a Rural Children’s Hospital of South India

Mohanraj Rathinavelu1★, Veeramani Ganesan1, Mallela Vijaya Jyothi2★ Corresponding author

  1. 1Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, Tamil Nadu, INDIA
  2. 2Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Raghavendra Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (RIPER) Autonomous, Ananthapuramu, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA

CORRESPONDENCE

Mohanraj Rathinavelu

Research Scholar, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Tamil Nadu, INDIA.

moley4u@gmail.com

Received: 12-10-2023; Revised: 13-03-2024; Accepted: 07-10-2024.

Volume 59, Issue 1S · pp. s355–s360 · PUBLISHED Jan-Mar 2025 · DOI: 10.5530/ijper.20255423

View on IJPER original site ↗

ABSTRACT

Background The “more-is-better” antimicrobial prescribing philosophy besides resistance is a significant contributor to suffering and death in children. Only a few nations have given comprehensive and comparable statistics on pediatric antimicrobial usage. However, such pediatric research is scarce in India, which necessitates antimicrobial pharmaco-surveillance. Materials and Methods The retrospective antimicrobial drug use study was conducted in a rural children’s hospital of south India. The antimicrobial pediatric prescription was investigated using WHO/INRUD prescribing indicators and classified according to the WHO ATC index. The antimicrobial use was calculated by using DDD and its deviation if any to prescribed daily dose was determined. Results Pneumonia was the most common illness and the main reason for hospitalization in 38% of infants and toddlers. A total of 79.66% antimicrobial agents were administered intravenously. Ceftriaxone (n=40, 33.9%) was the commonly used antimicrobial agent, with a PDD:DDD value of 0.84. Conclusion The pediatric antimicrobial utilization was adequately studied which found no discrepancies, but on contrary it was observed that prescribing practices was not consistent with WHO core prescribing indicators. This necessitates the implementation of pediatric antimicrobial stewardship programs.

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    Rathinavelu, M., Ganesan, V., & Jyothi, M. V. (2025). Antimicrobial Utilization in a Rural Children’s Hospital of South India. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, 59(1S), s355–s360. https://doi.org/10.5530/ijper.20255423