ABSTRACT
Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of antibiotics in acute respiratory infections in children in Dr Mintohardjo Navy Hospital, Jakarta. Place and Duration of Study: Pediatric Clinic of Dr. Mintohardjo Navy Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia during January to December 2012. Methodology: This study is a cross-sectional study consisting of children under the age of 5 years, who suffered from acute respiratory tract infections and hospitalized at pediatric clinic of Dr. Mintohardjo Navy Hospital, Jakarta. The data were collected from patient medical records retrospectively. The assessment of antibiotic prescribing patterns for children younger than 5 years was carried out based on the Indonesian Guideline of antibiotic use in acute respiratory tract infections in children. Results: A total of 96 patients enrolled in this study consisted of 53.1% males and 46.9% females. The types of acute respiratory tract infections were acute pharyngotonsilitis (95.8%), acute pneumonia (3.1%) and acute laryngitis (1.1%). The most commonly used antibiotics were ceftriaxone (42.5%), cefotaxime (30.0%), gentamicin (6.3%), cefadroxil (5.0%), cefixime (5.0%), sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (5.0%), amoxicillin (2.5%), thiamphenicol (2.5%) and chloramphenicol (1.3%). Conclusion: The compliance rate of pediatricians to follow the Indonesian Guideline on the use of antibiotics for acute respiratory tract infections was very low. It is necessary to increase compliance with the Indonesian Guideline to improve the control program of acute respiratory infections, and to prevent the emergence of antibiotic resistance.