Abstract
Objective: To study the co morbidities and prescribing pattern of antibiotics in hospitalized severe acute malnourishment (SAM) children. Methods: 202 SAM children were included by simple random sampling technique Results: 46.5% SAM children had diarrhea and 21.3% of children had acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI). Ceftriaxone/cefotaxime with aminoglycosides were administered to 52.9% children whereas ampicillin and gentamicin combination were given to only 18.8% children. Conclusions: Diarrhea and ARTI are the common co-morbidities in hospitalized SAM children. Ceftriaxone/cefotaxime and aminoglycosides are the most commonly prescribed antibiotic combination. Despite epidemiological studies, more clinical and pharmacokinetic studies are needed for commonly prescribed antibiotics.
Highlights
Malnutrition is a global problem in developing countries, in children less than 5 years of age
Diarrhea was found to be the most common co-morbid disease associated with severe acute malnutrition (SAM). 46.5% SAM children had diarrhea and 21.3% of children suffered acute respiratory tract infections. 7.9% children had meningitis, 6.4% had tuberculosis and only 3.9% children had malaria. (Table I)
Aminoglycosides were the most commonly used antibiotic in combinations with others
Summary
Malnutrition is a global problem in developing countries, in children less than 5 years of age. It is estimated that nearly 20 million children have severe acute malnutrition [1]. These malnourished children often present with co-morbidities which lead to higher morbidity and mortality among under-five children in developing countries. In the absence of appropriate treatment, case-fatality rates in hospitalized children range from 30% to 50% [1,2]. World Health Organisation (WHO) issued guidelines for the management of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) which mainly focuses on hospitalized SAM [3].
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