Study on Drug Utilization Pattern of Acute Gastroenteritis in Children Aged 1 to 12 Years in Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: Acute gastroenteritis is one of the primary causes of pediatric morbidity in developing countries (AGE). Appropriate drug therapy and supportive care are essential to reducing the disease's severity and consequences. Objective: To assess the drug utilization patterns in children aged 1 to 12 years diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis at a tertiary care teaching hospital. Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted from November 2023 to April 2024 in the Pediatric Department of Government Cuddalore Medical College and Hospital. A total of 100 pediatric inpatients aged 1–12 years without comorbid conditions were enrolled after obtaining ethical approval and informed consent. Data on demographics, clinical presentations, prescribed medications, and treatment outcomes were collected and analyzed. Results: 59% of the 100 children were male, and 45% of the patients were between the ages of 1 and 3. Zinc and ORS therapy were recommended in 71% and 84% of instances, respectively. Commonly utilized medications were IV fluids (97%), antiemetics (87%), anti-ulcerants (87%). Dextrose Normal Saline (DNS) was the most commonly utilized IV fluid (63.39%). Antibiotics that were most frequently administered were nitroimidazoles (28.15%) and cephalosporins (56.31%). While 34% of patients received monotherapy of antibiotics and 25% of patients received combination therapy of antibiotics. 30% of patients had completely recovered, while 62% of patients exhibited clinically improved. Conclusions: The study highlights the value of probiotics, zinc supplements, and ORS as first therapies for pediatric AGE. Depending on how severe the symptoms are, supportive therapy including IV fluids and antibiotics are used. Standard treatment procedures can improve results and encourage responsible drug usage in children's care.