[Mezlocillin in neonatal medicine]

The acylureido penicillin mezlocillin was tested clinically and pharmacologically in neonates and young infants who received the antibiotic for prophylactic and therapeutic reasons. On the basis of blood level determinations following the administration of various dosages, we consider a dose of 200 mg/kg per day necessary for premature babies and 300-400 mg/kg per day for full-term babies. Pharmacokinetic data showed age-dependent features. The clinical results were good in 40 children treated with mezlocillin. Twenty of these children received a combination of mezlocillin and gentamicin. No child died of an infection. Therapy was not successful in three babies suffering from productive bronchopulmonary infections. Important side-effects were not observed.