Antimicrobial agents in pediatrics.

For proper use of antimicrobial agents in infants and children, special precautions should be taken. These include knowledge of the pharmacokinetic properties of these agents, especially in neonates, and of host factors related to gestational and chronological ages of the patient. Failure to recognize such factors can result in either lack of therapeutic response of drug-related adverse effects. In this article, special aspects of the pharmacokinetics of antibiotics and the clinical pharmacology and indications for use of the beta-lactam antibiotics in infants and children are presented.