Pattern of Adverse Drug Reactions among Pregnant Women and Pediatric Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Abstract

Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) among pregnant women and pediatric patients are a significant public health concern. ADRs monitoring and documentation are considered essential practices to decrease the chances of ADRs and ensure the safe use of drugs.

Objective: Therefore, the study was designed to evaluate the pattern of adverse drug reactions among pregnant women and pediatric patients in a tertiary care hospital.

Methods: The study was conducted at Kalpana Chawla Government Medical College and Hospital, Karnal, Haryana, for a period of 2 years. During this period, ADRs reported by the healthcare professionals of gynecology and pediatric department to the ADRs monitoring centre of our institute were included in the study.

Results: Out of 54 total ADRs, 40 ADRs occurred among pregnant women, and 14 ADRs were reported in pediatric patients. The majority of the ADRs were observed in the age group of 21-30 years (pregnant women) and 3-5 years (pediatric patients). Antibiotics were most commonly implicated in ADRs among pregnant women (60%) and pediatric patients (79%). In our study, the dermatological system was mostly affected among pregnant women and pediatric patients. Urticaria, contact dermatitis, and erythematous rash were the most commonly reported ADRs among pregnant women and pediatric patients.

Conclusion: Over-prescribing and irrational use of antibiotics make these vulnerable populations more susceptible to ADRs and antibiotic resistance. Therefore, there is a need to create awareness among health care professionals regarding the spontaneous reporting of ADRs for ensuring drug safety and reducing morbidity and mortality among pregnant women and pediatric patients.