Antimicrobial use in paediatric wards of teaching hospitals in Bangladesh

Area of Science:

• Medical Microbiology
• Pediatric Infectious Diseases
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global health concern.
• Appropriate antimicrobial use is crucial in pediatric wards to combat infections and prevent resistance.
• Understanding current antimicrobial prescribing patterns in resource-limited settings is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the patterns of antimicrobial drug administration in pediatric patients in Bangladesh.
• To evaluate the appropriateness of antimicrobial therapy for common childhood infections.
• To identify areas for improvement in hospital antimicrobial stewardship.

Main Methods:

• A 4-month prospective study conducted in five medical college hospitals in Bangladesh.
• Review of treatment charts for 2171 admitted pediatric patients receiving antimicrobials.
• Data collection focused on diagnosed infectious diseases and prescribed antimicrobial regimens.

Main Results:

• Pneumonia and diarrhea were the most frequent diagnoses among pediatric patients.
• Ampicillin, gentamicin, amoxicillin, cloxacillin, and ceftriaxone were the most commonly prescribed antimicrobials.
• Over half (56.1%) of patients received combination antimicrobial therapy.
• Appropriate treatment rates were 57.1% for pneumonia and 67.8% for diarrhea.

Conclusions:

• Significant proportions of pediatric patients received inappropriate antimicrobial treatments for common infections.
• The high rates of inappropriate use highlight the need for targeted interventions.
• Improving antimicrobial stewardship programs in Bangladeshi hospitals is recommended.