Absorption of erythromycin from pediatric suspension in infants and children.

The absorption of erythromycin in infants and children was estimated after the administration of an erythromycin suspension. The subjects were divided into 3 age groups: 0-1 month, 1-6 months and 6 months-6 years. The absorption was lower in infants less than 1 month of age than in the older children. Erythromycin ethylsuccinate and erythromycin stearate were equally well absorbed in the fasting state in subjects 6 months-6 years of age. Administration of the drug at mealtimes considerably increased the absorption of erythromycin ethylsuccinate but had little effect on the absorption of erythromycin stearate. The absorption of erythromycin stearate in the fasting state was much lower than that of erythromycin ethylsuccinate in infants 1-6 months of age. None of the infants given erythromycin ethylsuccinate because of an outbreak of whooping-cough on the neonatal ward showed evidence of liver toxicity, nor did they develop symptoms of whooping-cough.