Title of article :
Clinical Characteristics, Medication Prescription Pattern, and Treatment Outcomes at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a Tertiary Health‑Care Facility in Ghana
Author/Authors :
Opare‑Asamoah, Kwame Department of Pharmacology - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana , Asumeng Koffuor, George Department of Pharmacology - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana , Abdul‑Mumin, Alhassan Department of Paediatrics and Child Health - University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana , Abdul‑Mumin, Alhassan Department of Paediatrics and Child Health - University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana , Sulemana, Baba Mohammed Department of Pharmacy -University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana , Saeed, Majeed Department of Physiology and Biophysics - University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana , Quaye, Lawrence Department of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences - University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
Abstract :
Neonates are more susceptible to infections, as well as medication
toxicities. This study, therefore, sought to describe the clinical characteristics,
medication prescription pattern, and treatment outcomes for neonates admitted
to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a tertiary health-care facility in
Ghana. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted to ascertain
clinical records, conditions for admission, spectrum of medications prescribed,
and treatment outcomes from neonatal patient folders. Findings: Of 667 folders
reviewed (51.4% males and 48.6% female), 61.8% were preterm (mean gestational
age: 34.2 ± 3.6 weeks), 64.6% had low birth weight (LBW) (mean birth weight:
2.1 ± 0.9 kg), 90.6% were delivered through spontaneous vaginal delivery, and
57.4% delivered at the tertiary health-care facility. Of the 667 neonates, 70%,
27.1%, and 2.9% were queried with one, two, or three medical conditions,
respectively. Respiratory distress, preterm, and pyrexia were common single queried
conditions (88.5%). LBW, hypothermia, and single queried medical conditions
were associated (P ≤ 0.0001) with preterm male neonates. The mean duration of
stay of preterm neonates was 3.5 ± 3.2 days (term babies: 1–2 days [P = 0.0085]).
Of 1,565 medications prescribed to the 667 neonates, 67.5% were antibacterial,
with gentamicin (53.0%) being the most prescribed. 98.4% of neonates were
prescribed at least one medication (i.e., 67.5% were prescribed antibacterial
medications, 14.6% supplements, 11.0% bronchodilators, and 7.0% antiseizure);
mean medication combination 2.6 ± 0.8 per neonate. Majority (75.4%) of the
cases reviewed had treatment success. Conclusion: Respiratory distress and
preterm deliveries are predominant presenting conditions, with antibacterial
medication, mainly gentamicin and ampicillin, on prescription. Treatment success
is significantly high at the NICU.
Keywords :
respiratory distress , Gentamicin , neonatal intensive care unit , neonates , preterm delivery
Journal title :
Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice
