Transplacental passage of clindamycin from mother to neonate

To evaluate maternal and neonatal cord blood levels at delivery in patients receiving 900 mg of clindamycin intravenous (IV) every 8 h.

Prospective study consented every mother that entered labor with a positive group B streptococcal culture, a high-risk penicillin allergy, and sensitivity to clindamycin and erythromycin. Maternal and cord blood clindamycin levels were obtained at delivery. Time from last dose completion to delivery, number of doses administered and body mass index (BMI) were assessed.

Twenty-three patients were consented. All maternal clindamycin values were therapeutic and 22 (96%) of the 23 cord blood samples were therapeutic. The mean maternal level was of 4.46 μg ml^-1 (range of 0.7 to 8.4 μg ml^-1). The mean cord blood level was 3.35 μg ml^-1 (range of <0.5 to 6.4 μg ml^-1).

These data show that the current dosing recommendation of 900 mg of clindamycin IV every 8 h produces therapeutic maternal and cord blood levels.