[Transplacental passage of cefmenoxime]

The broad spectrum of activity of cefmenoxime, its beta-lactamase stability and its harmlessness for the fetus, confer upon this new cephalosporin, a possible efficacy in the treatment of obstetrical infections. This study was designed to evaluate the placental transfer of cefmenoxime. The study group consisted of 21 pregnant women undergoing a cesarian section. After a single IM injection of 1 g of cefmenoxime, samples of maternal blood and umbilical cord blood samples were both taken 1, 2, 3 or 4 hours after the injection, in order to evaluate the kinetics of the drug. Amniotic fluid samples were also taken at delivery. The results of the study showed : a peak level of 16 micrograms/ml in the maternal serum with a slow decrease and a residual value of 3.08 micrograms/ml at the 4th hour ; increasing levels of the drug in the cord blood, with a peak value of 4.8 micrograms/ml ; progressive diffusion of cefmenoxime in amniotic fluid, reaching the highest value of 4.7 micrograms/ml at the 3rd hour ; parallel kinetics of the drug in amniotic fluid and in cord blood. On the whole, this study showed a significant placental transfer of cefmenoxime, achieving therapeutic concentrations required against microorganisms responsible for obstetrical infections.