ASSESSMENT OF TOPICAL CORTICOSTEROID USE IN DERMATOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF PEDIATRIC POPULATION

Abstract

Topical steroids are the topical forms of corticosteroids. Topical steroids are the most commonly prescribed topical medications for the treatment of rash, eczema, and dermatitis. Objective: To assess the use of topical corticosteroid in dermatological conditions of pediatric population and to study the choice of TCs given in department of dermatology in patients below 18 years old & to identify the common adverse drug reactions of the topical corticosteroid use. Methodology: The prospective observational study carried out in pediatric patients over a period of 6 months (November 2015 to April 2016) in the department of Dermatology at Ambedkar medical college. Based on the inclusion criteria 50 patients were selected and were informed the purpose of the study and details were collected using the proforma developed, which is approved by the pharmacy practice department. The relevant data were collected and documented in the suitably designed patient data collection form. The data were analyzed descriptively. Result: The study included 50 patients drawn from OP units of the department of dermatology. In the study population, there were 54% females and 46% males. Majority of the patients were in the age group 2-12 including 12 males (44.44%) and 15 females (55.55%). In the study, 10 patients was diagnosed with dermatitis (10 patients), followed by steroid modified acne (7 patients), urticarial (6 patients), acne vulgaris (5 patients), eczema (5 patients), pityriasisalba (3 patients). Out of 50 topical steroids prescribed, the most common topical steroid was MomentasoneFuroate (18, 36%) followed by Desonide (15, 30%), Fluticasone (7, 14%), Clobetasol Propionate (5, 10%), Betamethasone (4, 8%), Hydrocortisone (1, 2%). Conclusion: Our study aims to assess the use of topical corticosteroids in dermatology in pediatric population and identify the ADE. Female patients were found with more dermatological conditions.  Moisturizers were the most commonly prescribed category of drug.

Keywords: Topical corticosteroids, Pediatric, Dermatological conditions, adverse drug events.