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Liposomal amphotericin B in critically ill paediatric patients

G Sideri1, M E Falagas, M Grigoriou

  • 1Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, P. & A. Kyriakou Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.

Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics
|July 23, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Liposomal amphotericin B shows promise for treating fungal infections in critically ill children. This study found it effective in a small case series, with manageable side effects in vulnerable pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Intensive Care
  • Mycology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Limited data exists on liposomal amphotericin B for critically ill pediatric patients beyond infancy.
  • Fungal infections pose a significant threat to immunocompromised and critically ill children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the use and outcomes of liposomal amphotericin B in critically ill pediatric patients.
  • To assess the efficacy and safety of liposomal amphotericin B in a tertiary care setting.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective identification of pediatric patients receiving liposomal amphotericin B in the ICU over 3 years.
  • Data collection through medical record evaluation.

Main Results:

  • Twenty-three critically ill children (mean age 26.4 months) received liposomal amphotericin B.
  • Treatment was for confirmed fungal infections (16/23) or pre-emptive (7/23).
  • High rates of cure or improvement were observed (11/16 cured, 5/16 improved for infections; 6/7 improved for pre-emptive use).

Conclusions:

  • Liposomal amphotericin B appears effective for fungal infections in critically ill pediatric patients.
  • Adverse events like hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity were observed but manageable.
  • Further research is warranted for this vulnerable population.
Abstract

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