Abstract
To study the prescription pattern (using applicable WHO indicators), cost analysis and off-label use of drugs in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a tertiary-care hospital. The prescriptions of 460 neonates admitted to a NICU during July 2014-March 2015 were studied prospectively. Of 460 neonates, 54.8% were preterm and 73% were low birth weight (LBW). The mean (SD) prescription items per neonate were 5.7 (3.6). Overall off-label use was 12.3%, while 38% neonates received at least one off-label drug. Of 326 off-label drugs, antibiotics (69.6%) followed by non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (7%) were commonly used. Premature and LBW babies required more drugs with higher cost and longer stay, compared to full term and normal weight babies (P<0.01), while the pattern of off-label use was similar across both these categories (P>0.05). Off-label antibiotics use was common, and prescribing practices were uniform in NICU.
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