Pattern of children diseases and their management by consultants in Peshawar

Health care management in children diseases by consultant pediatricians in Peshawar has been thoroughly studied. Results have shown that majority of children brought for specialist consultancy suffer from acute illness like gastroenteritis [G/E], acute respiratory infections [ARI]. malaria, typhoid, malnutrition, anaemia, and acute viral hepatitis [AVH] First level treatment although seems rational in majority of cases but lacks counselling. This has resulted in seeking second consultant opinion within 3-10 days. Polypharmacy is practiced both by general practitioners and specialists. Irrelevant and indiscriminate use of antibiotics and antidiarrheal drugs is still commonly seen in paediatric practice even for acute viral/self limiting diseases. Trend of prescribing investigations for diagnosis has found a good place in paediatric consultant practice but has not reduced the trend of polypharmacy. As a result expenditure on treatment of simple acute illnesses of children has increased many folds. Proper attention to rational prescribing and adequate counselling at first consultancy is emphasised, which will improve the situation a lot