Medicines in liquid and syrup form used long-term in paediatrics: a survey in the Northern Region of England.
The medication regimens of 243 children aged 1-16 years were analysed. The children were resident in five Districts in the Northern Region, England and were taking medication orally in liquid or syrup form for chronic disease. 39% of the children were under 5 years of age and 44% were aged 5-11 years, with slightly more males in most age groups. Epilepsy, chronic renal disease and cystic fibrosis were the most common medical problems for which the medicines were prescribed long-term. The duration of medication ranged between 3 months and 12 years; the average duration varied according to the disease and the type of medicine. Most of the anticonvulsants and vitamins had been used for 2 years or more, whereas most of the anti-asthmatic drugs were used for a period of up to a year only. Twenty six (39%) of the 67 different preparations used contained sugar, 19 (28%) were sugar-free, and the sweetening agent in the remainder varied according to how they were prescribed. Specificity of prescribing was the major determinant in the dispensing of either the sugar-containing or the sugar-free medicines.
Maguire
A
A
Department of Child Dental Health, Dental School, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
Rugg-Gunn
A J
AJ
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D002326:Cariogenic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010372:Pediatrics; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D013395:Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage
D002326:Cariogenic Agents; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D013549:Sweetening Agents; D013395:Sucrose