Background: Medication Related Problems (MRPs) are not a common cause of admission of neonates to either the new born unit or the neonatal intensive care unit. However the neonate is usually at a significant risk for adverse drug reactions since organs required to handle drugs are still under development. Neonates at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit are usually very ill with multiple organ dysfunction. They may be on multiple drugs which greatly increases the chances of adverse drug reactions.

Objective: To identify and classify the Medication Related Problems and patient risk factors among critically ill neonatal patients admitted at Kenyatta National Hospital.

Methods: A descriptive cohort study was carried out between April and June 2019. Data was abstracted from treatment sheets and files of selected neonates, and it was done within 48 hours of admission. Patient records were reviewed daily. Data was analysed descriptively and by logistic regression using STATA version 13.

Results: A total of 70 participants were enrolled into the study. The most predominant MRP was sub therapeutic dosage (12.4%).Participants who had congenital disorders, were 1.368 times almost equally likely to experience under-dosing (OR 1.368 95% CI 1.018, 1.837; p=0.037), as those with gastrointestinal disorders (OR 1.5 95% CI 1.038, 2.165; p=0.031).There was statistical significance association between aminophylline, ranitidine phenytoin and overdosing (p=0.05).

Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of medication related problems, which necessitates close monitoring to reduce morbidity and mortality.

 

Keywords: Medication Related Problems, Critically ill neonates, Sub-therapeutic dosage