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Table 2 Characteristics of prescriptions for neonates in the NICUs

From: Pattern and extent of off-label and unlicensed drug use in neonatal intensive care units in Iran

Characteristics of prescriptions

Preterm Neonates

Term Neonates

Total Neonates

P value

<  32 weeks GA

32-36 weeks GA

≥37 weeks GA

Prescriptions,No. Mean (±SD)

8 (±4.8)

4.8 (±3.8)

4.5(±3.3)

5.4 (±4.1)

0.003*

Drugs,NoMean (±SD)

6.6 (±3.4)

4 (±2.7)

3.6 (±2.3)

4.5 (±3)

< 0.001*

Off-label prescriptions, No. (%)

96 (25.7)

115 (42)

188 (46.9)

399 (38.1)

* < 0.001

Unlicensed prescriptions, No. (%)

1 (0.3)

7 (2.6)

12 (3)

20 (1.9)

*0.043

Neonates with off-label prescription, No. (%)

41 (87.2)

48 (84.5)

75 (84.3)

164 (85)

0.8

Neonates with unlicensed prescription, No. (%)

1 (2.1)

7 (12.3)

9 (10.1)

17 (8.8)

0.554

Neonates with off-label or unlicensed prescription, No. (%)

41 (87.2)

48 (84.5)

75 (84.3)

164 (85)

0.8

  1. SD Standard deviation; *, p-value < 0.05