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Updated: May 30, 2026
11:17
Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses
Published on: August 30, 2018
Ciprofloxacin safety in paediatrics: a systematic review
Abiodun Adefurin1, Helen Sammons, Evelyne Jacqz-Aigrain
1Academic Division of Child Health, University of Nottingham, Derbyshire Children's Hospital, Derby DE22 3DT, UK.
Archives of Disease in Childhood
|July 26, 2011
Summary
Ciprofloxacin use in children can lead to reversible musculoskeletal adverse events (AEs), including arthropathy. Further studies are recommended to fully evaluate ciprofloxacin safety in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pharmacology
- Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
Background:
- Ciprofloxacin is a widely used antibiotic in pediatric populations.
- Concerns exist regarding its potential for adverse events, particularly arthropathy.
- Comprehensive safety data in children is crucial for informed clinical decision-making.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically evaluate the safety profile of ciprofloxacin in pediatric patients.
- To specifically assess the incidence and characteristics of arthropathy associated with ciprofloxacin.
- To identify other adverse events and drug interactions in this population.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search across major biomedical databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, CENTRAL).
- Inclusion of all published articles reporting on ciprofloxacin safety in pediatric patients (≤ 17 years).
- Analysis of reported adverse events, including musculoskeletal events and arthropathy, and drug interactions.
Main Results:
- 105 articles involving 16,184 pediatric patients were reviewed.
- Overall adverse event risk was 7%, with musculoskeletal events being most frequent (1.6%).
- Arthropathy occurred in pediatric patients, with all cases resolving or improving; pooled risk estimated at 1.57.
Conclusions:
- Musculoskeletal adverse events, including arthropathy, are associated with ciprofloxacin use in children.
- These events appear to be reversible with appropriate management.
- Further prospective controlled studies are recommended to thoroughly assess ciprofloxacin safety, especially regarding arthropathy risk.
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