Publication:

Auditing of prescriptions in relation to diarrhea in children below 5 years of age: a multicenter study

Background This study was planned to determine the prescribing pattern of drugs in children below 5 years of age suffering from diarrhea by different categories of doctors in the city of Jaipur (Rajasthan).

Methods This observational retrospective study was conducted in the Pediatric Outpatient Department of SMS Medical College and other hospitals in Jaipur (Rajasthan). In this study, 300 prescription (10% of total prescription) of the children aged below 5 years, suffering from acute diarrhea, were randomly selected.

Results As alone, norfloxacin was noted in 49.2% prescriptions followed by ofloxacin in 24.6% out of 61 prescriptions. In combination, the most common antimicrobial (77.78%) prescribed was norfloxacin with either metronidazole or tinidazole.

Conclusions Antimicrobials should be prescribed rationally for pediatric patients suffering from diarrhea to avoid potential adverse events and increased cost of the treatment . Regular prescription audits in hospitals should be undertaken to promote rational use of drugs.