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A one-year population-based study of drug prescriptions for Danish children
1The Danish Epidemiology Science Centre, Department of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Aarhus. nt@soci.au.dk
Insights
Prescribed drug use is common in Danish children, especially those under three. This study highlights significant exposure to systemic antibiotics and anti-asthmatics, underscoring the need for further research into pediatric drug use.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric pharmacology
- Pharmacoepidemiology
- Drug utilization research
Background:
- Understanding pediatric drug exposure patterns is crucial for assessing safety and efficacy.
- Previous studies on drug use in children have been limited in scope and population size.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the patterns of prescribed drug use among children aged 0-15 years in North Jutland County, Denmark.
- To identify the most frequently prescribed drug classes and analyze age-specific prescription rates.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a pharmacoepidemiological prescription database to analyze reimbursed prescriptions for children aged 0-15 years in 1997.
- Included a population of 95,189 children and identified 154,189 prescriptions.
Main Results:
- Over 50% of children received at least one prescription, with rates highest in those under 3 years (75.3%).
- Systemic antibiotics and anti-asthmatics were the most common prescriptions, particularly in young children.
- Drug use patterns shifted with age, with older children receiving more hormones and anti-epileptics.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric exposure to prescribed medications is substantial across all age groups, peaking in early childhood.
- The findings support the necessity of epidemiological studies to understand the drivers of pediatric drug use and evaluate pharmacological effects.
Abstract:
We examined the pattern of prescribed drug use in Danish children and used a pharmacoepidemiological prescription database to identify all reimbursed prescriptions for children aged 0-15 y living in North Jutland County (population 95 189), Denmark, during 1997. We identified 154 189 prescriptions for 48 091 drug users. The 20 most frequently prescribed chemical substance subgroups comprised 71.3% of all prescriptions. The mean annual prescription rate was 1621/1000 children/y. Overall, 50.6% of the population received one or more prescription. In children younger than 3 y, 75.3% received prescriptions and 17.5% obtained five or more prescriptions. Systemic antibiotics, anti-asthmatics, ophthalmologicals and dermatological corticosteroids accounted for 82% of prescriptions. One-third of the young children received anti-asthmatics, mainly oral beta-2 agonists, and almost half received antibiotics, mainly broad-spectrum penicillins. In the 7-15-y-olds, 39.1% received prescriptions. Hormones, antihistamines, anti-epileptics, anti-acne preparations and anti-diabetics comprised an increasing proportion of prescriptions. About 20% received antibiotics and 6% anti-asthmatics. In conclusion, the level of exposure to prescribed drugs was considerable at all ages and was highest in early childhood. Our study supports the need for epidemiological studies on the reasons for drug use and evaluation of their pharmacological effects in children.