RETROSPECTIVE STUDY ON THE PRESCRIBING PATTERN OF ANTIBIOTICS FOR LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS AMONG PEDIATRICS IN AMPANG HOSPITAL

Antibiotics are commonly prescribed for the lower respiratory tract infection. Irrational use of antibiotics will increase chances of resistance of bacteria as well as increase in the side effects and total cost of treatment. This study was conducted to determine the prescribing pattern of antibiotics used in lower respiratory tract infections. A retrospective study was conducted to determine the prescribing pattern of antibiotics used in lower respiratory tract infections. 150 patients were involved in this study. The obtained data was examined and were subjected to descriptive statistical analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20. 150 patient’s medical records were observed. Female accounted for 50.7% (76) and male for 49.3% (74) of the total case (p>0.05). Majority of them were 62.7% Malays, 20.7% Chinese and 16.7% Indians. Most frequently used antibiotic are macrolides (53.3%), aminoglycosides (29.3%), penicillins (24%), carbapenems (16.7%) and cephalosporins (10.7%). Most of the culture and sensitivity test showed mycoplasma pneumonia (44.67%) is commonly encounter microorganism. 59.3% of them received monotherapy and 40.7% of the patients received combination therapy. Ampang hospital was adhering to the Clinical Practice Guideline while prescribing antibiotics for the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections. The commonly given antibiotic class was macrolides. Monotherapy more preferred than combination therapy but both were reserved for the treatment of severe pneumonia