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Single-dose pharmacokinetics of ceftriaxone in infants and young children
Insights
Ceftriaxone pharmacokinetics showed no major differences between infants and young children. A 50 mg/kg intravenous dose every 12 hours is supported for pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Ceftriaxone is a widely used antibiotic in pediatric populations.
- Understanding ceftriaxone pharmacokinetics is crucial for optimizing treatment efficacy and safety in children.
- Limited pharmacokinetic data exists for ceftriaxone in postneonatal pediatric patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare the pharmacokinetics of ceftriaxone in infants and young children.
- To determine the appropriate dosing regimen for ceftriaxone in pediatric patients.
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ceftriaxone against common pediatric pathogens.
Main Methods:
- A single 50 mg/kg intravenous dose of ceftriaxone was administered to two groups of pediatric patients (infants and young children).
- Plasma concentrations were measured over time to determine pharmacokinetic parameters.
- Renal clearance, fraction excreted unchanged (fu), and biological half-life (t 1/2 (beta)) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- No significant pharmacokinetic differences were observed between infants and young children.
- Ceftriaxone exhibited dose-independent fraction excreted unchanged (fu) of 47% and a biological half-life (t 1/2 (beta)) of 6.5 hours.
- Weight-corrected total systemic clearance (C1TS) was 0.71 ml/min per kg, and volume of distribution (VD (beta)) was 394 mg/kg.
Conclusions:
- The pharmacokinetic profile of ceftriaxone is similar in infants and young children.
- A dosage of 50 mg/kg intravenously every 12 hours is recommended for ceftriaxone in postneonatal pediatric patients.
- This regimen supports effective treatment against Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Neisseria meningitidis.
Abstract:
The pharmacokinetics of ceftriaxone were studied in five infants (7 to 15 months old) and five young children (24 to 70 months old). Both groups received a single 50-mg/kg dose in an intravenous infusion over 5 min. No major pharmacokinetic differences were observed between the two populations. The total (bound plus unbound) plasma concentration-versus-time data could be described in each case by a biexponential equation. Changes in renal clearance indicated time- and dose- dependent pharmacokinetic behavior. The fraction excreted unchanged in the urine (fu) and the biological half-life (t 1/2 (beta)) were, however, dose independent. The average values were 47% for fu (0 to 12 h) and 6.5 for T 1/2 (beta). Weight-corrected total systemic clearance was C1TS = 0.71 ml/min per kg; volume of distribution was VD (beta) = 394 mg/kg. The data support intravenous administration of 50 mg of ceftriaxone per kg of body weight every 12 h in assessing its activity against Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Neisseria meningitidis in postneonatal-stage pediatric patients.