[Basic and clinical studies on norfloxacin in the pediatric field]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pharmacology
• Infectious Diseases
• Antibacterial Agents

Background:

• Norfloxacin (NFLX), a quinolone-carboxylic acid antibacterial agent, was assessed for its utility in pediatric care.
• Studies focused on pharmacokinetic, bacteriological, and clinical aspects of NFLX in children.

Observation:

• Pharmacokinetic analysis in 13 children (6-11 years) showed a mean peak serum concentration of 0.37 µg/ml at 2 hours, with a half-life of 2.8 hours.
• Urinary recovery of NFLX was 22.1% within 8 hours, with a dose-response relationship observed.
• Clinical evaluation in 65 pediatric patients (2-15 years) with various infections revealed an overall efficacy rate of 98.4% in 62 assessable cases.

Findings:

• NFLX demonstrated excellent to good clinical efficacy in treating acute purulent tonsillitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and colitis.
• Bacteriological assessment showed eradication of most pathogens, including E. coli, Salmonella, and P. aeruginosa.
• Minor side effects like dizziness and nausea were reported in one case each, with treatment continuation possible.

Implications:

• Norfloxacin exhibits a favorable safety profile and significant therapeutic potential for pediatric infections.
• The drug's pharmacokinetic properties support its use in children, warranting further investigation.
• NFLX represents a valuable therapeutic option for managing bacterial infections in the pediatric population.