A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF ADVERSE DRUG-REACTIONS AS A CAUSE OF ADMISSIONTO A PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL

1 A total of 512 consecutive paediatric hospital admissions of childre n 2 years old or less were evaluated to assess the extent and pattern of admission caused by suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The pr oportion of suspected ADRs related to hospital admissions was 4.3%. 2 The organ-systems most commonly implicated were the central nervous sy stem (40.5%), digestive system (16.7%), and skin and appendages (14.3% ). Together, they accounted for 71.5% of admissions attributed to ADRs . The most common clinical manifestations inducing admission were conv ulsions (4 cases), dizziness (4), vomiting (3), and tremor, fever, itc hing and apnoea (2 cases each). 3 The four classes of drugs most frequ ently suspected in admissions due to ADRs were respiratory drugs (35%) , anti-infective agents (25%), drugs active on the central nervous sys tem (15%) and drugs used in dermatology (10%). The most common drugs r elated to ADRs were a combination of chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine , phenylephrine, guaiphenesin and salicylic acid (4 cases), followed b y fenoterol, adrenaline, paracetamol, DTP vaccine and antipolio vaccin e (2 cases each). 4 There were no significant differences between chil dren older and younger than 1 year (odds ratio 0.89; 95% CI 0.37-2.17) or between the sexes as regards hospital admittance due to suspected ADRs (odds ratio 1.94; 95% CI 0.72-5.42). 5 The results of this kind o f study may be influenced by patterns of drug utilization. Nevertheles s, the lack of specific studies of drug effects in young children make s it desirable to carry out pharmacoepidemiological studies in this ag e group.