Abstract
ABSTRACTObjective: To examine the profile and appropriate use of antibiotics among hospitalized children.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with children who had taken antibiotics during hospitalization in a private philanthropic hospital in Southern Brazil, from January to December 2015. The data were obtained by reviewing medical records, encompassing demographic data (age, gender, ethnicity, and body weight) and clinical data (causes of hospitalization, use of antibiotics, and clinical outcome). Descriptive statistics was used to present the data.Results: Of the 318 participants included in the study, 61.3% were male patients. The age range varied between 2 and 11 years, with mean age of 5.8±2.9 years. The prevalence of antibiotics was 24.4% out of the 1,346 hospitalized children. Median hospital stay was four days. The main cause of hospitalization was clinical instability, and the most commonly prescribed antibiotics was Cefazolin, mostly administered intravenously. Regarding the administration of antibiotics, 62.2% were adequately prescribed, even though underdose was 11.7%, and overdose was 14.6% in the studied patients. Antibiotic administration intervals were characterized as long in 8% of cases, and short in 3.5% of cases.Conclusions: Although the prevalence of antibiotics among hospitalized children was not that high, a considerable part of the sample presented inadequacy regarding the dosage and range of use. These data raise concerns about bacterial resistance and adverse reactions.
Highlights
The use of antibiotics by patients hospitalized in the pediatrics sector shows the importance of the treatment of infectious problems and conditions.[1]
A systematic review showed that the antibiotics represent the most prescribed therapeutic class in the pediatric age group.[2]
It is essential to know about the factors that can act on the response to medication, such as the toxicity of the drugs, the patient’s age, the presence of kidney and/or liver failure and possible drug interactions
Summary
To examine the profile and appropriate use of antibiotics among hospitalized children. Conclusions: the prevalence of antibiotics among hospitalized children was not that high, a considerable part of the sample presented inadequacy regarding the dosage and range of use. These data raise concerns about bacterial resistance and adverse reactions. Objetivo: Verificar o perfil e a adequabilidade do uso de antibacterianos em crianças hospitalizadas. As informações foram obtidas por revisão dos prontuários e incluíram dados demográficos (idade, sexo, raça e peso corporal) e clínicos (motivo da internação, uso deantibacterianos e desfecho clínico). A prevalência do uso de antibacterianos foi de 24,4% considerando o total de 1.346 crianças que foram hospitalizadas.
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