[Multicenter clinical study and pharmacokinetics of ceftazidime in children and newborn infants].

The pharmacokinetics and clinical efficacy of ceftazidime, a new cephalosporin with activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, were studied in children and neonates. Our studies suggest that ceftazidime should be considered for the treatment of sever infections in pediatric patients (neonatal septicemia and meningitis, urinary tract infections due to multiresistant bacteria) and for the empirical therapy of febrile episodes in immunocompromised children. Ceftazidime appears to be effective and safe, alone or associated with an aminoglycoside, in the treatment of acute exacerbation in cystic fibrosis. The dosage recommended on the basis of our pharmacokinetic studies is 30 to 50 mg/kg intravenously every eight hours for infants and children and 30 mg/kg every 12 hours for neonates. Larger doses should be used in cystic fibrosis patients, immunosuppressed children, meningitis, and bacterial infections due to organisms with high MICs.