title: Twice daily ceftriaxone therapy for serious bacterial infections in children.
abstract: The clinical efficacy and safety of ceftriaxone, a long half-life cephalosporin were evaluated in 48 children with a variety of serious bacterial infections. Clinical cure was achieved in 92% (44 of 48) of patients. Peak serum bactericidal titres for Haemophilus influenzae type b, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Str. pyogenes and Escherichia coli were greater than or equal to 1:1024. Mean peak and trough ceftriaxone levels were 173 and 42 mg/l, respectively. Mild and transient diarrhoea was observed in 10% of patients. Laboratory side effects encountered were eosinophilia, thrombocytosis and neutropenia in another 8%. Ceftriaxone is a useful antibiotic for common childhood infections. Its prolonged half-life allows twice daily administration which reduces problems related to intravenous therapy as well as the cost and personnel time.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D002439:Cefotaxime / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002443:Ceftriaxone; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D002443:Ceftriaxone; D002439:Cefotaxime