[Studies of meropenem in pediatric infections].

Pharmacokinetic and clinical evaluations of meropenem (SM-7338, MEPM) were carried out in pediatric patients. The following results were obtained. 1. After 30-minute intravenous drip infusion at a dose of 20 mg/kg, plasma concentrations of MEPM reached their peaks at the end of drip infusion with an average value of 48.8 +/- 3.64 micrograms/ml, and the average plasma half-life was 0.93 +/- 0.21 hour in the beta-phase. After 30-minute intravenous drip infusion at a dose of 10 mg/kg, the average peak plasma concentration was 27.7 +/- 4.33 micrograms/ml and the average plasma half-life was 0.78 +/- 0.20 hour. 2. Urinary excretion rates of MEPM after 30-minute intravenous drip infusion at doses of 20 and 10 mg/kg were 44.8 +/- 4.54% and 40.9 +/- 1.78%, respectively. 3. MEPM was administered to 13 cases (upper and lower respiratory infections, pneumonia and lymphadenitis) at daily doses between 60-90 mg/kg/day divided into 3 dosages using 30-minute intravenous drip infusion. Clinical responses were "excellent" in 12 patients, "good" in 1, hence an efficacy rate of 100% was obtained. 4. Bacteria identified in various disease cases included 12 strains of 5 species, and the eradication rate was 100%. 5. No side effects were observed in any children. Laboratory test results showed abnormalities in 2 cases with elevations of GOT and GPT. These results suggest that MEPM may be a very useful and safe drug for the treatment of pediatric infections.