Antibiotic Prescribing Pattern in a Tertiary Level Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Area of Science:

• Neonatalogy
• Pharmacology
• Public Health

Background:

• Neonatal sepsis is a leading cause of infant mortality globally, particularly in developing nations.
• Antibiotics are essential for treating neonatal sepsis but their rational use requires ongoing evaluation.
• Limited data exists on antibiotic prescribing patterns in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate antibiotic prescribing patterns in a tertiary care hospital's NICU in Western Maharashtra, India.
• To assess the rationality and frequency of antibiotic use in neonates.
• To provide data for developing guidelines on antibiotic use in neonates.

Main Methods:

• A 6-month prospective observational study was conducted.
• Data on patient demographics and antibiotic prescriptions were collected daily.
• Statistical analysis was performed on the collected data.

Main Results:

• Out of 528 neonates, 370 received antibiotics, with a male predominance (62%).
• A total of 1123 antibiotics were prescribed; 55.9% of neonates received 1-2 antibiotics, and 37.3% received 3-5.
• Antibiotic use showed a significant inverse relationship with gestational age; Amikacin, Cefotaxime, and Levofloxacin were most common.

Conclusions:

• High antibiotic usage is prevalent in the NICU setting.
• While many prescriptions were justified, increased frequency in some cases is concerning.
• Development of clear guidelines for neonatal antibiotic use is recommended, supported by further research.