Treatment options for neonatal infections in the post-cefotaxime era

Cefotaxime has been used for the management of neonatal infections since the 1990s for suspected meningitis and to mitigate gentamicin-associated renal injury. Its shortage in 2015 and subsequent removal from the U.S. pharmaceutical market forced providers to consider alternatives. Ceftriaxone, a cephalosporin with an identical antibacterial spectrum of activity to cefotaxime, is contraindicated in neonates due to its risk of biliary pseudolithiasis. Ceftazidime was recommended as an alternative by the American Academy of Pediatrics but is inequivalent.

This article addresses indications for cephalosporin use and considerations when selecting an alternative to cefotaxime. Differences among cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, and cefepime are discussed and compared to the standard-of-care presumptive regimen, ampicillin, and gentamicin. The authors consider the data behind the neonatal contraindication to ceftriaxone and provide recommendations for their application to practice.

The data against ceftriaxone use in neonates remain poor, particularly in the context of the cefotaxime shortage and lack of an equivalent alternative. Ceftriaxone could be considered in low-risk neonates without hyperbilirubinemia or exposure to calcium-containing fluids on a case-by-case basis. Ceftazidime monotherapy for presumptive management of neonatal infections is inappropriate; cefepime should be more frequently utilized in neonates who are poor candidates for ceftriaxone.