title: The placental transfer of ampicillin.
abstract: Cord blood ampicillin levels were assayed in 23 neonates whose mothers received the antibiotic by the obstetrical service. The levels ranged from 2.9 to 36.2 micrograms/ml. Nineteen (82.6%) of the 23 had a serum ampicillin level in excess of 5 micrograms/ml at delivery, which is significantly greater than the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) to inhibit ampicillin-sensitive enterobacteriacae and far exceeds the MIC for Group B beta-hemolytic streptococci. Antenatal ampicillin therapy results in significant levels in the neonate that may obscure cultures obtained after delivery.
mesh_terms: D000667:Ampicillin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D010500:Perinatology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011292:Premedication; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018805:Sepsis / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000667:Ampicillin