Adverse Drug Reactions to Anti-infectives in Hospitalized Children: A Multicenter Study in Brazil

• Published in: Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society 2023-02, Vol.12 (2), p.76-82
• Main Authors: Feitosa Ramos, Sheila, de Barros Fernandes, Thais, Carlos Araújo, Dyego, Rodrigues Furtado Leitzke, Luísa, Gomes Alexandre Júnior, Ronaldo, Morais de Araújo, Janaína, Sales de Souza Júnior, Alcidésio, Heineck, Isabela, Maria de França Fonteles, Marta, Osorio-de-Castro, Claudia G S, Bracken, Louise E, Peak, Matthew, Pereira de Lyra Junior, Divaldo, Costa Lima, Elisangela
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2048-7207; 2048-7207
• DOI: 10.1093/jpids/piac121

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to anti-infectives affect especially hospitalized children and contribute to increased morbidity, mortality, length of stay, and costs in healthcare systems. To assess ADRs associated with anti-infective use in Brazilian hospitalized children. A prospective cohort study was conducted in 5 public hospitals over 6 months. Children aged 0-11 years and 11 months who were hospitalized for more than 48 h and prescribed anti-infectives for over 24 h were included. A total of 1020 patients met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 152 patients experienced 183 suspected ADRs. Most reactions were related to the gastrointestinal system (65.6%), followed by skin reactions (18.6%). Most reactions were classified as probable causality (58.5%), moderate severity (61.1%), and unavoidable (56.2%). Our findings showed that ADRs were associated with increased length of stay (P < .001), increased length of therapy (P < .015), increased days of therapy (P = .038), and increased number of anti-infectives prescribed per patient (P < .001). Almost 15% of hospitalized children exposed to anti-infectives presented suspected ADRs. Their occurrence was classified as probable, of moderate severity, and unavoidable. ADRs were significantly influenced by the length of hospital stay and the number of anti-infectives prescribed per patient.