Rev. Soc. Bras. Enferm. Ped.2020;20(1):31-9.
Medication use in children below one-year-old
DOI: 10.31508/1676-3793202000005
Abstract
Objective
Analyze the medication use in children from birth to the first year.
Methods
Longitudinal descriptive study, conducted between 2013 and 2015. Interviews were carried out with 302 mothers in four stages: maternity postpartum, early puerperal return consultation seven days after birth, household visit 42 days postpartum and household visit one year after postpartum.
Results
Medication use during the first 42 days of life was 76,8%, whereas, in the course of one year, it raised for 99%, the self-medication was performed in 27,8% of children. The most used medications were paracetamol (85,1%), dimethicone (61,9%), anti-anemics (40,1%). Reasons to use medicines were abdominal colic, fever, pain, irritability, and vaccination.
Conclusion
Incidence of drug utilization was elevated, considering that part of the symptoms described by the mothers could be restrained with non-pharmacological therapies. The necessity of actions to prevent indiscriminate use of drugs for children is highlighted.
Keywords: Child care; Drug utilization; Pediatric nursing