[Ceftazidime: placental transfer and pharmacokinetic parameters in the third trimester pregnancy]

Ceftazidime (CAZ), a newly developed cephalosporin with very high stability to beta-lactamase, was evaluated for its transfer into fetus and amniotic fluid in the third trimester pregnancy, following a single bolus intravenous injection at a dose of 1 g. In subjects with various conditions (background factors) standardized, concentrations of CAZ in maternal venous blood, venous and arterial blood in umbilical cord, and amniotic fluid were determined. High concentration of CAZ (10 micrograms/ml or higher) was found to be maintained in fetal blood and amniotic fluid for ca. 4 hours and ca. 8 hours, respectively, after intravenous injection, showing good placental transfer of CAZ. In view of MICs of CAZ, satisfactory clinical efficacy is expected in perinatal infections.