Evaluation of cefotaxime in bacterial infections

Cefotaxime, a third generation cephalosporin antibiotic, was evaluated in 26 infants and children for the treatment of documented or suspected bacterial infections, including pneumonia (10 cases), soft tissue skin infection (13 cases), and urinary tract infection (3 cases). An average daily dose of 60 mg/kg in 3 to 4 divided doses was administered parenterally for an average of 7 days. In 14 of the cases, primary pathogens, including Haemophilus influenzae b (resistant to ampicillin), Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Escherichia coli, were eradicated. Clinical recovery occurred in each case. Blood levels at different time intervals and biological half-life were similar to those reported for adults. Mild and transient side effects observed were elevation of SGOT in two cases, alkaline phosphatase in one, and eosinophilia in one case.