Abstract

SPERANZA, Noelia et al. Reacciones adversas a medicamentos en niños hospitalizados: un problema de salud pública. Rev. Méd. Urug. [online]. 2008, vol.24, n.3, pp.161-166. ISSN 1688-0390.

Summary Introduction: globally, drug-caused diseases are a public health issue. In Uruguay, the importance of this topic is unknown. Objective: to describe the characteristics and to estimate the frequency of adverse drug reaction (ADR) through intensive pharmacovigilance (PV) of hospitalized children in the Pediatric Hospital at the Pereira Rossell Hospital. Methods: technical staff from the Drug Information and Evaluation Center performed a thorough pharmacological anamnesis in children hospitalized on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors of the the Pediatric Hospital at the Pereira Rossell Hospital between 28 June and 4 July, 2007. All children suspected of ADR were included in the study. We analyzed age, sex, drugs implied, diseases caused, severity and evolution. Results: 24 cases of suspect ADR were identified in 173 hospitalized children. Average age was 3 years old. Frequency of ADR was 13.9% (confidence interval was 95%, 8.9-18.9). ADR was the primary cause for hospitalization in three children out of 24. Systemic antiinfectious (n=10) and antiepileptics (n=4) were the most frequent drugs causing ADR. The following ADR were identified: digestive (n=9), metabolic (n=5), cutaneous (n=3), cardiovascular (n=3), neurological (n=2), congenital malformation (n=1) and hematological (n=1). In seven cases, ADR was severe and in five of them it was mild or moderate. No patient required intensive care hospitalization, and none of them died. In 7 patients the RAM was severe, and in 5 of them, moderate. None of the patients required intensive care nor were there deaths. Conclusions: ADR constituted a frequent health problem. Thus, in order to confront it, we need to include identification and prevention practices in clinical services.

Keywords : PREPARACIONES FARMACÉUTICAS [efectos adversos]; PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATION [adverse effects].

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