The common diseases for which the neonates sought admission in the NICU were suspected septicaemia, birth asphyxia, neonatal jaundice and major congenital malformations. As antibiotics were the most frequently used drugs, their usage was analyzed in all cases. It was found to be rational in 84% of suspected septicaemia cases, as the provisional diagnosis on admission was confirmed with subsequent investigations thereby justifying appropriate antibiotic therapy. The diagnosis and treatment of other cases like neonatal jaundice, birth asphyxia, congenital malformations and electrolyte imbalance were rational and treatment was given as per treatment guidelines. Irrational usage of vitamins, nutritional supplements and parenteral fluids was not noted. The absence of the latest National essential list of medicines at the neonatology unit was noted. Secondly an antibiotic usage policy for the unit depending on the local microbial sensitivity pattern should have been in place.

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GSTM1 *0 ⁄ *0 or GSTT1 *0 ⁄ *0 or both null genotypes, do not appear to be associated with ATD-induced hepatotoxicity in our Indian population.

Antifungal drugs prevent topical or invasive fungal infections (mycoses) either by stopping growth of fungi (termed fungistatic) or by killing the fungal cells (termed fungicidal). Antibiotics also prevent bacterial infections through either bacteriostatic or bactericidal mechanisms. These microorganisms successfully develop resistance against conventional drugs that are designed to kill or stop them from multiplying. When a fungus no longer responds to antifungal drug treatments and continues to grow, this is known as antifungal drug resistance. Bacteria have an amazing capacity to become resistant to antibiotic action as well, and the effectiveness of the scarce antifungal arsenal is jeopardised by this antibiotic resistance, which poses a severe threat to public health.