Therapy of acute bacterial infections with cefaclor in a pediatric population: an open assessment.

Cefaclor, a new semisynthetic cephalosporin, was given orally as a suspension to 22 infants and children with acute otitis media and or/other infections, mainly of the respiratory tract, suspected to be of bacterial origin. The drug was found to be very easily accepted by the patients, and no side effects were encountered. Most patients became asymptomatic within 48 hours. Cefaclor is active against most bacteria producing acute otitis media, including ampicillin-resistant Hemophilus influenzae, and seems to be an effective bactericidal agent in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections. Caution is recommended when used in bacteremic infants who do not respond promptly to therapy, in view of the poor cerebrospinal fluid levels of the drug and the danger of meningitis.