Patterns of drug prescribing for children in hospital

Moreland, T. A.; Rylance, G; Christopher, Leah; Stevenson, I. H.

doi:10.1007/bf00560256

Cited by 26 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Our results are in conflict with those of Moreland et al . [ 30], who described a higher consumption of drugs acting on the central nervous system and a lesser proportion of patients who received pharmacological treatment. Changes in prescription habit over the last 15 years may explain the differences observed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A prospective study of adverse drug reactions in hospitalized children

Martínez-Mir

García-López

Palop

et al. 1999

Brit J Clinical Pharma

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Aims There are few publications of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) among paediatric patients, though ADR incidence is usually stated to be higher during the first year of life and in male patients. We have carried out a prospective study to assess the extent, pattern and profile risk for ADRs in hospitalized patients between 1 and 24 months of age. Methods An intensive events monitoring scheme was used. A total of 512 successive admissions to two medical paediatric wards (47 beds) were analysed. The hospital records were screened daily during two periods (summer, 105 days and winter, 99 days), and adverse clinical events observed were recorded. Results A total of 282 events were detected; of these, 112 were considered to be manifestations of ADRs. The cumulative incidence was 16.6%, no differences being observed between periods. Although there were no differences between patients under and over 12 months of age, risk was found to be significantly higher among girls compared with boys (RR=1.66, 95% CI 1.03-2.52). The gastro-intestinal system was most frequently affected. The therapeutic group most commonly implicated was anti-infective drugs and vaccines (41.5%). The ADRs were mild or moderate in over 90% of cases. A consistent relationship was noted between the number of drugs administered and the incidence of ADRs. Conclusions Hospitalized patients exhibited an ADR risk profile that included female sex and the number of drugs administered. No particular age predisposition was observed. The most commonly prescribed drugs are those most often implicated in ADRs in paediatric patients.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A prospective study of adverse drug reactions in hospitalized children

Martínez-Mir

García-López

Palop

et al. 1999

Brit J Clinical Pharma

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“…Nevertheless, the use of drugs by children was less in this survey (one day in 10 and one week in eight) than the use reported in a housing estate in the 1960s,7 in an international study that included children from the United Kingdom,2 and in children in hospital with general complaints, over half of whom receive an average of 2-5 drugs in any one week. 4 The greater proportion of days on which children aged 5-7 took drugs relates to greater use oflong term drug treatment; in children [11][12][13][14][15][16] years old more drugs were taken sporadically (for example, aspirin, paracetamol), which accounts for the greater proportion of weeks in which drugs were used. It is perhaps surprising that drug use in children aged 0-4 was not greater as most childhood illness occurs.in this group.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of drugs by children.

Rylance

Woods

Cullen

et al. 1988

BMJ

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To obtain information on the use of prescribed and non-prescribed drugs in the general population of children 1590 children were surveyed in 1984-5 by weekly questionnaires filled out by parents. Drugs were taken in 13% of the 26 weeks studied and on 9% of the 182 days. Use in the summer and winter was similar. More than half (56%) of all drugs were taken on Saturdays and Sundays. Boys took drugs on 11% of days and girls on 8% of days. Almost half (45%) of drugs taken were not prescribed. Drugs acting on the respiratory tract and on coughs accounted for 42 2% of the drugs used. Analgesics were taken on 14-0% of days and antimicrobials on 12-5%. Aspirin accounted for 14-9% of all drugs used in any one week and for 31-7% of drugs obtained without prescription. Aspirin, paracetamol, triprolidine-pseudoephedrine (Actifed), ampicillin or amoxycillin, and salbutamol were the drugs most frequently used.The widespread use of drugs obtained without prescription suggests that community pharmacists and parents would benefit from further education on the choice of treatment in relation to symptoms. Doctors should be aware of the extent of treatment with non-prescription drugs and consider playing a greater part in advising on its indications. IntroductionThe nature and extent of the use of drugs by children vary widely. Social influence may be greater than the influence of medical practice. The number of drugs available, the number of diseases that can be treated, and the expectations of the general public, which can be affected by previous medical practice, all tend to increase the use of drugs. Continuing audit is necessary to determine changes in the patterns of drug use.Drugs are obtained primarily through prescription by hospital doctors and general practitioners and from over the counter sales at local pharmacies and supermarkets. Results

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“…Acute respiratory tract infection (RTI), acute diarrhoea and viral fever are the supreme conjoint illnesses book-keeping for the major proportion of pediatric visits [5]. Several studies come together on antibiotic prescribing insolences in hospitalized children indicate that children admitted to hospitals receive antibiotics and widespread misuse has been reported [6]. Most upper respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold and sore throats are usually caused by viruses.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%