25 Point prevalence study of paediatric polypharmacy

Introduction Paediatric polypharmacy is defined as two or more medicines, which lower than the definition in adults (>5 medicines). A recent scoping review of paediatric found a mean prevalence 39.7% with large range from 0.9% to 98.4%. Methods Prescribing data 85 active practices across Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), was extracted on 6th January 2021 include all patients below 18 years age. also obtained for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital electronic prescribing system, Meditech 12th 2021. Descriptive analysis performed. Results Of 110,097 CYP registered primary care, 17,271 (16%) were prescribed >2 medications, 3,507 (3·2%) >5, 715 (0·7%) ≥10, and 202 (0·2%) ≥15. The median number ≥10 ≥15 medications per care practice 7 (range 0–34) 2 0–11), respectively. Within Hospital, 139 inpatients identified, 126 (91%) medicines. most frequently medicine paracetamol. When ‘as required’ ‘one off’ medicines removed, omeprazole medicine. Conclusions Many children within CCG meet polypharmacy. Further research required assess consequences address its management under recognised underrepresented literature date.