Publication:

Prescribing pattern of drugs in sick newborn care unit in a tertiary care hospital, Haldwani, Uttarakhand, India

Background Sick Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) is meant to reduce the case fatality among sick newborns. Although it has been shown that patterns of drug utilization in SNCU are changing dynamically, current data on drug utilization patterns in SNCU is limited. This study was done to find out drug utilization pattern in newborn admitted at SNCU.

Methods This prospective observational drug utilization study was carried out in SNCU of Government Medical College and Hospital, Haldwani (Uttrakhand). The pattern of drug use in 206 sick newborn admitted at SNCU was assessed.

Results 75.25% sick newborns were in early neonatal period and 63.11% sick newborns were male. 33.98% sick newborn were preterm and mean±SD of weight of sick newborn was 2.16±0.6kg. Neonatal sepsis was commonest reason for admission followed by birth asphyxia . Three or more drugs (average 2.35drug/ Range 3-9 drug) were given to 52.91% new born and two drugs were given to 40.78% new born. Commonest route of drug administration was intravenous (97.08%), followed by intramuscular (72.82%), followed by orally (13.59%) and 11.65% new born received drug by inhalation. Most frequently used drugs in SNCU were antibiotics (Ampicillin, Gentamicin, Amikacin, Cefotaxime). Only two adverse drug reactions (mild rash by ampicillin and fever) were reported during study period. Out of 206 sick newborn, 18.93% died. Most common causes for death were respiratory distress syndrome (41.03%) followed by sepsis (23.08%) and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (17.95%).

Conclusions Antibiotics were of major concern in SNCU. The uncertainty regarding the choice of antibiotic can be minimized by periodic survey of etiological agent and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern.