Prescribing Pattern of Bronchodilators in Paediatrics at A private Tertiary Care Hospital

The use of bronchodilators has been increasing for the past few decades. Study was planned to evaluate the rational use of bronchodilator drugs by analyzing the appropriateness of the prescription. A prospective observational study was conducted in all the patients who were prescribed with bronchodilators in the pediatric ward. The demographic data and the bronchodilator prescribed were recorded in the data entry format. In the study population of 133 wheezing associated with lower respiratory tract infection was the most predominant disorder found in 35.3% children.  Of the 133 pediatric patients, the major prescription was for SABA (Short Acting Bronchodilators) (99.2%). Of which the major prescription was for salbutamol (63.2%). Most of the children with asthma were prescribed with combination therapy of salbutamol and ipratropium (81.3%). In WALRI (Wheezing Associated Lower Respiratory Tract Infection), patient were prescribed with salbutamol (40.4%) and. In acute bronchiolitis, the major prescription was found to be salbutamol and ipratropium combination (70.3%). In 52.6% of the prescriptions bronchodilator were given by nebulization and oral route, 31.6% were given by nebulization. In 95.5% of patient antibiotics were prescribed along with bronchodilators, followed by mucolytic 55.6% .Other concurrent prescriptions were with steroids (38.3%). It was found that 77.4% of pediatric patients not received any oxygen supplementation. The study found over use of antibiotics, sedatives and mucolytics and under use of steroids. Bronchodilator use was optimal but evaluation of therapy was not done commonly. The study highlighted the need for a local protocol and continuing staff and parent education.