Appropriateness of paediatric vitamin prescribing in Vietnamese outpatient settings: associated factors.

OBJECTIVE

Vitamin supplementation is widely practised in paediatric populations. This study aims to describe and evaluate vitamin prescribing practices in paediatric outpatients.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

SETTING

A tertiary referral paediatric hospital in Vietnam.

PATIENTS: 400 paediatric outpatients prescribed vitamin supplements.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prescribing patterns were analysed by vitamin type, age group, body mass index (BMI) category and International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10)-coded diagnosis. Dosage and age appropriateness were assessed against international guidelines (American Academy of Pediatrics/National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements/U.S. National Academy of Medicine).

RESULTS

Multivitamin complexes (41.3%) and vitamin B1 (27.0%) accounted for the majority of prescriptions, predominantly in children aged 1-10 years and in association with respiratory disorders (60.3%). Although 74.2% of patients had normal BMI, this group received 63.3% of combined vitamin and dietary supplement prescriptions. Overall adherence was high, with 91.5% of prescriptions meeting recommended dosages and 98.8% being age-appropriate. In multivariable analysis, gastrointestinal disorders were associated with a higher likelihood of inappropriate dosing (adjusted OR 4.92, p=0.005), while no demographic factors remained significantly associated with age-inappropriate prescribing after adjustment.

CONCLUSION

Paediatric vitamin prescribing in Vietnamese outpatient settings showed high adherence to recommended dosage and age criteria. A proportion of prescriptions exhibited dosage deviations, particularly among multivitamin and combination products. Gastrointestinal disorders were associated with an increased likelihood of inappropriate dosing. To improve dosing accuracy in resource-limited settings, the integration of weight-adjusted dosing algorithms and electronic prescribing alerts may be considered. Further studies are needed to clarify contributing factors and optimise prescribing practices.