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Published on: August 30, 2018
Rifampin use and safety in hospitalized infants
Christopher J Arnold1, Jessica Ericson1, Jordan Kohman1
1Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, North Carolina.
Insights
Rifampin use in hospitalized infants showed a low incidence of adverse events, with thrombocytopenia and hyperbilirubinemia being most common. Further research on safety and dosing in this population is recommended.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal pharmacology
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Drug safety in neonates
Background:
- Rifampin is an antibiotic used to treat various infections.
- Its use in hospitalized infants, particularly premature neonates, requires careful safety evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the safety and incidence of adverse events associated with rifampin administration in hospitalized infants.
- To provide data on clinical and laboratory adverse events in this vulnerable population.
Main Methods:
- An observational study was conducted across 348 neonatal intensive care units.
- Data on clinical and laboratory adverse events were collected for infants exposed to rifampin between 1997 and 2012.
Main Results:
- A total of 2,500 infants received 4,279 courses of rifampin.
- The most frequent laboratory adverse events were thrombocytopenia and conjugated hyperbilirubinemia.
- The most common clinical adverse events included necrotizing enterocolitis (3%) and seizures (2%).
Conclusions:
- The overall incidence of adverse events in infants receiving rifampin appears to be low.
- Further studies are necessary to comprehensively evaluate the safety and optimal dosing of rifampin in hospitalized infants.
Objective:
This study aims to examine the use and safety of rifampin in the hospitalized infants.
Study Design:
Observational study of clinical and laboratory adverse events among infants exposed to rifampin from 348 neonatal intensive care units managed by the Pediatrix Medical Group between 1997 and 2012.
Result:
Overall, 2,500 infants received 4,279 courses of rifampin; mean gestational age was 27 weeks (5th, 95th percentile; 23, 36) and mean birth weight was 1,125 g (515; 2,830). Thrombocytopenia (121/1,000 infant days) and conjugated hyperbilirubinemia (25/1,000 infant days) were the most common laboratory adverse events. The most common clinical adverse events were medical necrotizing enterocolitis (64/2,500 infants, 3%) and seizure (60/2,500 infants, 2%).
Conclusion:
The overall incidence of adverse events among infants receiving rifampin appears low; however, additional studies to further evaluate safety and dosing of rifampin in this population are needed.
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