Publication:

A prospective study of the pattern of non-antimicrobial drug use in neonatal intensive care management in a tertiary care hospital

Background Neonatal intensive care management (NICM) may be required for high risk or critically ill neonates for survival or stabilization. NICM involves the use of different classes of drugs, and the pattern of use mainly determined by the prevailing clinical conditions and complications, and the desired therapeutic objectives. The objective of this study was to study the pattern of drug use in NICM, criteria for drug selection and dose individualization, to assess the efficacy and safety of medications and record drug interactions.

Methods The pattern of drug use was assessed prospectively in 150 consecutive subjects admitted to NICU. The number of drugs used, therapeutic class, dose, route, frequency and duration of administration, criteria for selection were recorded. The efficacy and safety of the medications was assessed by the treatment outcome and by observing for any adverse events or drug interactions.

Results Different therapeutic classes of drugs were used as per the prevailing clinical conditions or complications. The total number of drugs used was 23. Different classes of drugs were used for specific indications. The treatment outcome was very good in most of the subjects and no drug related adverse events or interactions were observed.

Conclusions Most of the problems and complications in high risk and critically ill neonates can be prevented or controlled by judicious use of several classes of drugs, properly chosen and individualised to the given situation, without producing serious adverse events and interactions. Drugs play an important role in improving the outcome.