Developmental Pharmacology and Therapeutics of Piperacillin in Gram-Negative Infections

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Twenty children ranging in age from 1 week to 19 years with documented or suspected bacterial infections arising outside the central nervous system were studied. Pharmacokinetic analysis was possible in 15 children; 8 after the first dose, 6 during steady-state conditions, and 4 on both occasions. Data were obtained utilizing noncom- partmental pharmacokinetic methods. Peak piperacillin serum concentrations ranged from 51 to 232 mg/1 and correlated directly (r = 0.75) with the dose administered. In children with normal renal function, there was an age-dependent decrease in elimination half-life and apparent steady-state volume of distribution, whereas plasma clearance increased logarithmically. All but 1 child responded favorably to piperacillin therapy, and 1 child with a urinary tract infection relapsed 10 days after discontinuation of the therapy. Although improved clinically, piperacillin monotherapy failed to eradicate pathogens in 2 children. No adverse clinical or biochemical effects were observed in any child.