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Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses
11:17

Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses

Published on: August 30, 2018

Retrospective audit of antibiotic use in a university general pediatrics department using hospital pharmacy

Leonie Egle1, Katharina Sauter1, Svenja Ockfen1

  • 1Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Saarland University Hospital, Homburg/Saar, Germany.

GMS Infectious Diseases
|December 27, 2021
PubMed

Insights

This study monitored antibiotic use in a pediatric hospital from 2014-2018. Findings reveal patterns in antibiotic consumption and highlight limitations in current surveillance methods for pediatric antibiotic stewardship.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Hospital Pharmacy
  • Public Health Surveillance

Background:

  • Antibiotics are frequently prescribed in pediatric settings, necessitating robust monitoring.
  • Effective antibiotic stewardship programs are crucial for combating antimicrobial resistance.
  • Current surveillance methods may have limitations in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze antibiotic consumption patterns in a university pediatric hospital over a 60-month period.
  • To identify potential targets for antibiotic stewardship interventions.
  • To evaluate the methodological limitations of recommended antibiotic surveillance techniques in pediatrics.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective audit of pharmacy dispensing data from January 2014 to December 2018.
  • Analysis of antibiotic consumption in grams per 100 patient days.
  • Analysis of antibiotic consumption in Defined Daily Doses (DDD) per 100 patient days.

Main Results:

  • Quantified antibiotic consumption across general pediatrics, neonatal intensive care, and pediatric intensive care units.
  • Identified specific antibiotics and usage patterns.
  • Highlighted discrepancies and limitations in applying standardized surveillance methods.

Conclusions:

  • The audit provides valuable data for optimizing antibiotic stewardship in pediatric care.
  • Methodological challenges in pediatric antibiotic surveillance were identified.
  • Recommendations for refining surveillance strategies in pediatric populations are suggested.

Keywords:
antibiotic stewardshipantibiotic usegeneral pediatricsneonatal and pediatric intensive care unit (NPICU)pharmacy dispensing data

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