Perfil de utilização de antimicrobianos por pacientes pediátricos do Hospital do Seridó

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance results from the adaptation of microorganisms to antimicrobial agents, compromising their efficacy. Major causes include the lack of infection control programs and inappropriate use of medications. The Third Global Patient Safety Challenge is a strategy aimed at reducing avoidable harm related to medication use, with an emphasis on hospitals, particularly pediatric units, a group underrepresented in clinical studies. This study aimed to characterize the antimicrobial use profile in the pediatric sector of a medium-sized hospital. The cross-sectional and prospective research was conducted from February to October 2024 at the municipal hospital of Caicó/RN, analyzing 332 prescriptions from 110 patients. Of the 488 medications used, antimicrobials (29.3%, n=143) were the most frequently prescribed class, with ceftriaxone 1g being the most prescribed (41.3%, n=59), followed by ampicillin 1g (32.2%, n=46). Antimicrobials were used in 90.9% of patients. The primary route of administration was intravenous (64.1%, n=313), and the most common reasons for pediatric hospitalization were pneumonia (40.9%, 45/110), gastrointestinal infection (14.5%), and asthma crisis (11.8%). The study concluded that there was a higher prevalence of antimicrobial use in children aged 0-5 years. The results provide an important foundation for developing strategies to improve the effectiveness and safety of antimicrobial therapy.