Jigar et al. European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences www.ejbps.com │ Vol 9, Issue 8, 2022. │ ISO 9001:2015 Certified Journal │ 321 STUDY OF DRUG PATTERN AND THEIR REGIME COMPOSITION IN THE NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT Dr. Jigar Katwala 1 , Dr. Aksha Memon 2 , Dr. Manisha Arora* 3 , Dr. Ankesh Barnwal 4 , Dr. Shivani Sharma 5 , Dr. Akash N. Patel 6 , Dr. Sudeep Kumar 7 1 Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Science, Medical University of the Americas, Nevis. 2 Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Education, Creighton University School of Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona. 3 Professor, Department of Metabolism and Nutrition, University of the Americas, Nevis. 4 Associate Director II, Clinical Trials, Medical Services, Cliantha Research Ltd. India. 5 Professor, Department of Physiology, University of the Americas, Nevis. 6 Professor of Clinical Skills, Medical University of the Americas, Nevis. 7 Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Muzaffarnagar Medical College, Muzaffarnagar, UP, India. Article Received on 30/05/2022 Article Revised on 20/06/2022 Article Accepted on 10/07/2022 INTRODUCTION India has a highly significant role to play in global efforts to end the preventable death of newborns and children under the age of five, given that it has the highest number of deaths among these two groups in the world. [1] Improvement in neonatal-perinatal survival is a priority health agenda in India. The current neonatal mortality rate of 20 per 1000 live births accounts for three forth of theinfant mortality in India (27 per 1000). [2] A neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a highly specialized unit that provides high-quality skilled care to premature, low birth weight, or critically ill newborn. Apart from facilities for continuous clinical and biochemical monitoring and life support systems, the neonatal intensive care management involves the use of a wide range of medications with well-defined and specified therapeutic objectives. [3] Drug therapy in hospitalized neonates and children is complex. Various factors are responsible such as pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics behavior of the drugs, a lack of pediatric licensed formulations and limited evidence-based dosing information for neonate and children. [4] The World health organization has estimated that half of all drugs used in NICU are prescribed or dispensed inappropriately. Critically ill neonates receive significant numbers of drugs during their hospital stay. These lead to increased patient morbidity, mortality, increased cost of therapy, and irrational use of medications. [5] When considering NICU, the importance of pediatric medication safety has been gaining increasing attention in the developed world in SJIF Impact Factor 6.044 Research Article ejbps, 2022, Volume 9, Issue 8, 321-327. European Journal of Biomedical AND Pharmaceutical sciences http://www.ejbps.com ISSN 2349-8870 Volume: 9 Issue: 8 321-327 Year: 2022 *Corresponding Author: Dr. Manisha Arora Professor, Department of Metabolism and Nutrition, University of the Americas, Nevis. Email Id: drmanishaarora@gmail.com ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5484-2607 ABSTRACT Introduction: Neonates are special population. There may be major differences in the responses to drug in neonates, infant and children in comparison with adults. The aim of the present study was to investigate drug usage and their regime in the neonatal intensive care unit. Material and Methods: The present study was carried out in Alka neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), Department of pediatrics, Sheth V.S. General Hospital, Ahmadabad, India. The present study was conducted on 217 patients from September 2007 to February 2008. Results: Out of 217 patients, 69% were males and 31% were females. In this study, 43% of patients were preterm, 57% were full term. A total of 183 (84%) patients were admitted in early neonatal period. Out of 183 neonates, 134(73.2%) were admitted within first 24 hours after birth, majority 96(64.4%) were male and 72(76.5%) were preterm babies. The most frequently prescribed anti-infective systemic drugs were combination drug ampicillin and sulbactam(74.5%) followed by amikacin (70%), cefoperazone and sulbactam combination (20%), ciprofloxacin (18.5%), gentamicin (16.5%), levofloxacin (12%),cefoperazone(9.5%) and cefotaxime (7%). Conclusion: This study tells about morbidity pattern and its relation to gender, birth weight, and hospitalization and prescription items in neonatal ward. This study showed that premature birth and low birth weight were the main reasons for drug prescription. KEYWORDS: Neonates, NICU, Premature Birth.