C-reactive protein measurement: a reliable method of diagnosing and monitoring the infected newborn for the assessment of a mezlocillin therapeutic trial.

Clinical and bacteriological efficacy of mezlocillin was evaluated in 41 neonates (including 12 premature babies) with clinical and laboratory evidence of bacterial infection, as shown by elevated C-reactive protein serum concentrations. They received intravenous mezlocillin (80 to 100 mg/kg/dose) every 8 h for 10.4 days. The mean serum concentration (+/- S.E.M.) of mezlocillin in full-term neonates was 214 +/- 19.8 mg/l 1 h after the infusion and 52.0 +/- 9.3 mg/l prior to the next infusion. In premature neonates these mean concentrations were respectively 167 +/- 23.4 mg/l and 40.7 +/- 6.7 mg/l. The efficacy of mezlocillin was documented by the decrease in C-reactive protein serum concentrations and by improvement in clinical condition. Therapy with mezlocillin alone proved to be safe and effective when used for non-nosocomial infections during the neonatal period.