ABSTRACT
Background: Dengue fever is a mosquito borne viral infection which has become a global health hazard, especially in tropical and subtropical areas. Children have higher risk of developing severe forms of dengue fever, however, studies show that paediatric complications/fatalities from dengue fever are potentially avoidable by proper management. Data about drug usage patterns for dengue are particularly lacking, especially in the paediatric age group, therefore this study will help facilitate the rational use of drugs and aid in establishing a more specific management for dengue fever. The objective of the present study was to identify the prescribing pattern of dengue fever in paediatric inpatients admitted to RajaRajeswari Medical College and Hospital and assess according to the WHO core prescribing indicatorsMethods: This prospective observational study took place from March 2017 to September 2017 in the paediatric general wards. Data was collected from case files of NS1 positive patients of both genders between 1-18years. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and expressed as percentages, means and standard deviations. The prescription pattern was analysed using the prescribing indicators mentioned in the World Health Organization core drug use indicators.Results: Total of 300 drugs were prescribed for 110 prescriptions that were analysed excluding IV fluids and blood products. Mean number of drugs prescribed was 2.7±0.8. Drugs prescribed by a generic name was 7.33%. Patients prescribed an antibiotic was 12.73%. Patients prescribed with an injection was 62.72% Majority of drugs prescribed in this study come from essential medicines list created by regulatory bodies. Intravenous fluids were administered to all patients with majority receiving normal saline (60.9%).Conclusions: Mainstay of treatment of dengue fever for paediatric patients is symptomatic along with focus on fluid management. Majority of drugs prescribed are from essential medicines lists formed by regulatory bodies. With dengue infections being a worldwide health hazard, more studies are needed to facilitate rational use of drugs in this disease.
ABSTRACT
Background: Surgery on the ocular tissue brings about activation of phospholipase A3 thereby releasing prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Prostaglandins bring about meiosis during surgery, changes in IOP, conjunctival hyperaemia. Newer topical NSAID抯 Nepafenac and Flurbiprofen are potent inhibitors of the cyclooxygenase enzyme thereby inhibiting the biosynthesis of prostaglandins. Objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of preoperative use of topical Nepafenac (0.1%) and Flurbiprofen (0.03%) in maintenance of intraoperative mydriasis during cataract surgery.Methods: A randomised, comparative study was performed on 104 patients, 52 were allocated in each group and were given either of the topical NSAID抯 Nepafenac or Flurbiprofen prior to cataract surgery. Pupillary diameter was measured at the beginning and at the end of the surgery and the values were compared between the groups. Mean and standard deviation was calculated and between two groups comparison was done using students t-test.Results: The mean pupillary diameter of the two groups were comparable at the beginning of surgery (p=0.34). The mean change in the pupillary diameter was 1.86�71mm in the Nepafenac group and 1.77�72mm in the Flurbiprofen group. There was no statistically significant difference among both the groups in maintenance of intraoperative mydriasis (p=0.47).Conclusions: Pre-operative use of Nepafenac and Flurbiprofen were equally effective in preventing meiosis during cataract surgery.
ABSTRACT
Iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women is a major health problem in India. According to WHO, anemia in pregnant women is described as Hb% < 11g/dl or hematocrit < 33% and all pregnant women are to be given a standard dose of 60mg and 120mg elemental iron for prophylaxis and treatment of anemia respectively. As per ICMR guidelines, the dosage has increased from 60 to 100mg for treatment of anemia. This study was done to study the prescribing pattern of iron preparations in antenatal women and to compare the elemental iron content in the drug. Fifty pregnant women were included in the study. Prescription analysis showed that 94% were given oral iron preparations and 6% were given I.V. injections. The commonly prescribed drugs were Ferrous Ascorbate(42%) and Sodium Feredetate(40%) containing elemental iron 100mg and 33mg respectively. The I.V. preparation used was mainly iron sucrose (6%). Since both the oral iron preparations were prescribed once daily, Ferrous Ascorbate should be preferred over Sodium Feredetate since the total elemental iron in Sodium Feredetate is not sufficient as per WHO and ICMR guidelines.