Adherence to the basic paediatric protocol on administration of fluids, feeds and antibiotics to neonates at a County Hospital in Kenya

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the level of adherence to the Basic Paediatric Protocol on administration of fluids, feeds and antibiotics to neonates admitted in a county hospital’s newborn unit (NBU).

Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study using secondary data

Setting: A County Hospital Newborn Unit (NBU), Kenya

Subjects: In-patient records of two hundred and thirty-eight neonates admitted in the newborn unit between January and June 2019.

Outcome Measures: Level of adherence to the basic paediatric protocol guidelines on administration of fluids, feeds and antibiotics.

Results: The overall level of adherence to the protocol on fluid administration over the first seven days was 20.6%. A marked difference in management between the first and subsequent days of fluid administration was noted. Up to 71% of neonates received Sodium and Potassium supplementation from the second day of life as per the protocol. Level of adherence to the protocol on feeds administration was 6.9%. On antibiotic administration, penicillin was appropriately given according to the protocol in 56% of the neonates and gentamicin in 57% of neonates.

Conclusion: Level of adherence to the protocol on the use of fluids, feeds and antibiotics was low and hence there was a significant gap in management of the neonates with regards to nutrition, fluids and antibiotic administration.