[Probabilistic treatment with ceftazidime of severe infections in children].

Ceftazidime should only be given as "best guess" treatment in infections suspected of being caused by multiresistant bacteria, and notably Pseudomonas aeruginosa. During the last few years, the use of this antibiotic against infections associated with therapeutic bone marrow aplasia or with cystic fibrosis has been thoroughly investigated. As regards neonatal infections, late (hospital-acquired) infections seem to be the best indication. Other major reasons for prescribing ceftazidime are septicaemias in paediatric intensive care units and in surgery, especially when it is feared that P. aeruginosa might emerge. Urinary infection after surgery for complex urinary tract malformations, meningeal infection in neurosurgery, severe otitis media, suspected mastoiditis and otitis of the newborn are special conditions where ceftazidime can be used as first choice therapy. Ceftazidime may be administered alone in certain circumstances, but it is usually given in combination with another antibiotic. In these severe infections, dosage must be high enough to reach the elevated MIC's required by some strains of Pseudomonas.