EVALUATION OF CEPHALOSPORINS USE AMONG PEDIATRIC IN-PATIENTS AT TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL

Antibiotics are the widely used drugs in modern medical care. These drugs are majorly using for both prophylaxis and treatment of infectious diseases. Cephalosporins are commonly used group of antibiotics in hospitals and health care facilities around the world. A prospective observational study was carried out at inpatient department of pediatrics in Tertiary Care teaching hospital, Tirupati from March 2014 - September 2014 during regular ward rounds. This study was aimed to evaluate the usage of Cephalosporins. The demographic, disease prevalence, immunization history and treatment data of 80 in patients were collected in a specially designed proforma. In this study male patients were listed more 49 (61.25%) than the female patients 31(38.75%). Majority number of patients was in 1day-1year age group 38(47.5%) followed by 27 (33.75%) patients are in 1- 5 years. In our study most of the patients were diagnosed for respiratory tract infections i.e. 22 patients followed by 17 patients were diagnose for fever. In total 80 patients, majority of drugs were NSAIDS 82 (16.04%) followed by cephalosporin’s 65(12.72%). Among 65 cephalosporin prescribed patients having only third generation cephalosporins. In that third generation cephalosporins majority cefotaxime 47 (72.30%) was prescribed followed by ceftriaxone 9 (13.84%). Total 28 potential drug- drug interactions were found that cephalosporins with another drugs. This study shows the wider usage of third generation cephlosporins in hospitalized pediatric patients. Rational use of cephalosporins will enhance the appropriate of therapy and treatment, which reduces the resistance of cephalosporin ADR and benefit cost to the pediatric population. Pharmaceutical Sciences