Sources of drug information in neonatal guidelines of low- and middle-income countries

Abstract

Objective: Identify drug information (DI) resources used in neonatal practice guidelines in low- and middle-income countries. Methods: Individuals with knowledge of national neonatal guideline development completed a descriptive, cross-sectional survey. Key findings: Eighty-five per cent (33/39) of respondents fully completed the survey. Physicians from university hospitals in Africa were primary respondents. Forty-five per cent (15/33) used a single national neonatal guideline. Primary neonatal resources for drug dosing and preparation were as follows: (1) World Health Organization Pocketbook of Hospital Care for Children, (2) Pediatric & Neonatal Dosage Handbook and (3) National Institute for Health and Care Excellence for Infants and Neonatal pathways. Conclusion: Low- and middle-income countries with single national neonatal guidelines cite a finite range of DI resources.