Pyrazinamide serum levels in childhood tuberculosis.

Pyrazinamide (PZA) is one of the first-line drugs in anti-tuberculosis treatment. In the present study, PZA serum levels in 34 children aged 1 to 14 years were measured either after oral application of PZA alone or after combination therapy with isoniazid and rifampicin. Serum levels did not differ statistically with age, in PZA monotherapy or in combination therapy. With a dosage of 30 mg/kg PZA, efficient serum levels were reached. Because PZA is distributed uniformly in the body, serum levels are related to body weight, and a dose of 30 mg/kg bodyweight is appropriate in children.