title: Prevalence and nature of off-label antibiotic prescribing for children in a tertiary setting: A descriptive study from Jordan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the use of off-label antibiotics in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and paediatric wards in Jordan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data of patients admitted to the neonatal intensive care units and paediatric wards in King Abdulla University Hospital were collected over an 8-week survey between May and July 2012. Data collected in this study included patients' age, weight, medical history, diagnosis and the details of antibiotics prescribed to each patient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study involved a total of 250 children (80 admitted to the NICU and 170 admitted to the wards). A total of 598 antibiotic prescriptions were issued for these patients (244 in NICUs and 354 in paediatricwards). The results of the present study show that off-label antibiotic prescribing to paediatric patients is very common. Off-label antibiotic prescribing to paediatric patients is related mostly to doses and indications, and rarely to age. The majority of admitted patients received at least one off-label antibiotic during their hospital stay.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study reveals the high prevalence of off-label use of antibiotic among paediatric children in Jordan. There is a serious need for robust and continuous educational programs to improve the awareness of paediatricians of guidelines surrounding the use of antibiotics in paediatric patients. Furthermore, true collaboration between paediatricians and clinical pharmacists towards safe and effective antibiotic prescribing in paediatric patients is crucial.
authors: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology , Irbid ( Jordan ). tlmukattash@just.edu.jo.
authors: Tareq L
authors: 0000-0003-0200-9845
authors: TL
authors: Mukattash
authors: Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology , Irbid ( Jordan ). wailh@just.edu.jo.
authors: Wail A
authors: WA
authors: Hayajneh
authors: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology , Irbid ( Jordan ). shorouk.ibraheem@hotmail.com.
authors: Shorok M
authors: 0000-0002-2379-622X
authors: SM
authors: Ibrahim
authors: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology , Irbid ( Jordan ). amayoub@just.edu.jo.
authors: Abeer
authors: A
authors: Ayoub
authors: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology , Irbid ( Jordan ). nmayoub@just.edu.jo.
authors: Nehad
authors: N
authors: Ayoub
authors: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology , Irbid ( Jordan ), Anansalam10@yahoo.com.
authors: Anan S
authors: 0000-0003-2052-439X
authors: AS
authors: Jarab
authors: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, AlQuds University . Jerusalem ( Palestine ). mkhdour@pharm.alquds.edu.
authors: Maher
authors: M
authors: Khdour
authors: Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology , Irbid ( Jordan ). amalmaaytah@just.edu.jo.
authors: Ammar
authors: 0000-0002-7804-3313
authors: A
authors: Almaaytah
keywords: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Child; Drug Utilization; Infant; Inpatients; Jordan; Off-Label Use