Pharmacological aspects regarding the drugs used in pediatric asthma: A retrospective observational study at a tertiary care hospital.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v7i3.2546Keywords:
Pediatric asthma, pharmacological therapy, inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators, retrospective studyAbstract
Background
Asthma is one of the most common chronic respiratory disorders affecting children worldwide. Pharmacological management plays a crucial role in controlling symptoms, reducing exacerbations, and improving quality of life in pediatric patients. Various classes of medications, such as bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids, leukotriene receptor antagonists, and combination therapies, are widely used in clinical practice.
Methodology
A retrospective observational study was conducted at Government Medical College & Hospital, Purnea, over a period of 8 months. Medical records of 90 pediatric asthma patients were analyzed. Data regarding demographic characteristics, drug prescriptions, therapeutic patterns, and treatment outcomes were collected and analyzed using statistical software.
Results
Among the 90 patients analyzed, the most frequently prescribed drugs were short-acting β2-agonists (SABA) (82.2%), inhaled corticosteroids (74.4%), and leukotriene receptor antagonists (46.7%). Combination therapy with inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting β2-agonists was used in 38.9% of cases. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant association between disease severity and combination therapy use (p = 0.032). Among the 90 pediatric patients, the majority belonged to the 6–10 years age group (41.1%), followed by 2–5 years (31.1%) and 11–14 years (27.8%). Male patients constituted 57.8%, while females accounted for 42.2%.
Conclusion
The study highlights the importance of inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators in pediatric asthma management. Combination therapy is frequently used in moderate to severe cases.
Recommendation
Rational prescribing practices and adherence to guideline-based therapy should be encouraged to optimize asthma management in pediatric populations.
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