Biomedical Research

DOI: 10.4066/biomedicalresearch.29-17-379

Abstract

Objective: Retrospective clinical analysis of adverse drug reactions in children.

Methods: Clinical data analysis was performed on 844 cases of hospitalized children reported for adverse drug reactions.

Results: Children under 3 y of age were more prone to the adverse drug reactions; adverse reactions were mainly caused by antibiotics and traditional Chinese medicine; intravenous rout was the most common mode of administration of drug causing adverse reaction; adverse drug reaction was mostly observed within 1 h of drug administration; most common clinical manifestation of adverse drug reactions was the skin damage.

Conclusions: More attention should be paid towards rational use of drugs, to avoid multiple drug use as far as possible, and to focus on prevention of adverse drug reactions, timely detection if happened and immediate treatment. Establishment of drug reaction reporting system will definitely help the physicians across the globe to better understand the phenomenon.

Keywords

Adverse drug reactions, Clinical analysis, Children.

Introduction

Adverse drug reactions (ADR) are a major health problem to the individual as well as for society [1]. ADR refers to an appreciably harmful or unpleasant reaction, resulting from an intervention related to the use of a medicinal product, which predicts hazard from future administration and warrants prevention or specific treatment, or alteration of the dosage regimen, or withdrawal of the product [2].

With the widespread clinical use of various drugs, irrational use of drugs and misuse is increasing, and alongside the incidence of ADR also increased gradually [3]. ADR monitoring has been unfolding in China, and has caused widespread concern [4].

Study on clinical manifestations caused by ADR, timely reporting, and the analysis of possible causes will improve medical standards and the cure rate, and will decrease mortality and medical care costs.

We retrospectively analyzed 844 cases of adverse drug reactions in hospitalized children for clinical reference and to provide basis for rational drug use.

Methods

Retrospectively analysis was performed on 844 cases reported for clinical adverse drug reactions in hospitalized children during 2005-2012, including children's gender, age, drugs used, route of administration and major clinical manifestations of ADR.

Results

Age and gender of children

There were 477 male cases (56%) and 367 female cases (44%) amongst 844 children. male and female ratio was 1.30:1. Amongst all 844 cases, 75% ADR occurred in infants less than 3 y of age, which is statistically significant (P<0.0001). ADR cases with respect to all ages are showed in Table 1.

Table 1. The relationship of age and ADR.

The variety and distribution of drugs in ADR

There were 56 types of drugs involved in 844 cases of children with ADR, of which statistically significant number (P<0.0001) of 545 cases were caused by anti-microbial drugs (65%), followed by traditional Chinese medicine, respiratory drugs, cardiovascular drugs and nervous system drugs.ADR caused by the drug types and number of cases are shown in Table 2.

Table 2. The types of drugs and number of cases in children with ADR.

Route of administration and ADR

735 of 844 cases with ADR were caused by intravenous which was significantly higher (P<0.0001) than other routes of administration. The route of administration and number of cases are shown in Table 3.

Table 3. The route of administration and number of cases.

The timeline of ADR symptoms

There were 356 cases which occurred within 30min after administration, 170 cases in 1 h, 146 cases in 1~2 h, 111 cases in 2~6 h, and 61 case after 6 h respectively Table 4.

Table 4. The time of ADR and number of cases.

Organs involvement and major clinical manifestations

ADR effected mainly the skin and its appendages in children (P<0.0001), followed by the digestive system, nervous system and blood system respectively. Main clinical manifestations were local or systemic rash (such as maculopapular rash and urticarial rash). Table 5 shows the system wise clinical manifestations.

Table 5. Organs involvement and clinical manifestations in children with ADR.

Treatment and prognosis

675 of 844 cases with ADR were given symptomatic treatments. Others didn’t need any treatment. If ADR occurred in children; (1) The suspicious drug was stopped, to reduce the amount of toxins; (2) Hydration was ensured to excrete the intravenous drug injected; (3) Drugs were used to protect the liver and kidney, reducing target organ damage; (4) The appropriate corticosteroids were used to reduce ADR severity.

Discussion

The incidence of ADR in infants of age less than 3 y is 75% in our study, especially under 1y of age (38%), which is the highest of all age groups. This trend is in agreement of the previous reports [5]. This phenomenon may be related to the growth and development of the baby and breast feeding. In this age group, the physiological functions of body organs are immature and are vulnerable to invasion of pathogenic microorganisms, increasing the chances of medication [6]. At the same time, body's metabolism of the drug is slow, resulting in decreased elimination and increased accumulation of the drugs prone to high reactivity, which causes increased incidence of ADR.

544 of 844 cases in children with ADR were caused by the anti-microbial agents, which is significantly higher (P<0.0001). Previous reports have also mentioned the ADR phenomenon against antimicrobial agents [7]. Because of a variety of antimicrobial drugs in recent years, particularly cephalosporins, these are consumed in large quantities increasing opportunities for relevant allergens [8]. Also, the irrational drug use, such as a longer than required course of treatment and larger than recommended doses are also increasing the chances of ADR [9]. Clinicians should follow evidence based practice, to reduce the irrational use of antimicrobials, unnecessary combination therapy and frequent change of medicine, during a course of treatment.

The extensive use of antimicrobial drugs produces more resistant strains, and can cause the floral imbalance in children, causing them to suffer from skin rash and antibiotic associated diarrhoea [10,11]. Recent research done in Denmark found that the systemic application of antibiotics and vaccines caused adverse reactions in every 2 out of 3 children below 2 y of age [12]. The rational use of antibiotics must be implemented to reduce or avoid unnecessary drugs, combination therapy, drug overdose, and excessive duration of treatment. If necessary, treatment should be carried out in accordance with blood medicine concentration.

Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history in China and usually has moderate medicinal function, which has long been considered to be safe and effective with fewer side effects [13]. But with more awareness about traditional Chinese medicine in many countries and traditional Chinese medicine injections used extensively, the reports of Chinese medicine ADR are also increasing [14]. The reason being TCM injections have complex macromolecules and contain a variety of allergens. Therefore, use of traditional Chinese medicine alone or administered with other drugs in combination, can trigger changes in the blood pH and can significantly increase the incidence of ADR [15]. Meanwhile, processing of raw materials, storage, and preparation of TCM can affect the quality of products, which may trigger allergic reactions. Our study reported TCM to be the second most significant drug responsible for ADR. So strengthening the quality control of TCM injections, improving the skill level of medical staff, and rational use of TCM injections can strengthen the Chinese ADR monitoring and research.

Intravenous drug delivery is a major cause of adverse drug reactions in this study which is in agreement with previous studies [16]. In over 90% of the reports the drug was administered intravenously. This is because in the intravenous administration, the drug directly enters into the blood, and high plasma concentrations make the bodily systems more prone to adverse reaction [17]. Regarding intravenous infusion administration, medical staff should strictly follow the regulations i.e., to avoid improper liquid compatibility, to ensure correct infusion rate and to reduce unnecessary intravenous administration.

Most ADR in children occurred within 1 h of the drug administration favouring the previous reports [18]. So we should enhance the first hour observation, to deal with and to avoid serious consequences.

The target damage of ADR in our study was predominantly skin and its appendages, corresponding with previous reports, which may be related to two factors: the early clinical manifestations of skin reactions, and hidden damage to other organs or systems [19].

Conclusion

ADR can be managed by detailed drug allergy history, avoidance of excessive drugs especially unnecessary IV infusions, strengthening the monitoring of adverse drug reactions by accurate systemic observation, timely reporting and early management accordingly, to reduce its incidence and complications, and to avoid mortality.

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