title: Vancomycin pharmacokinetics and dosing in premature neonates.
abstract: We prospectively studied the pharmacokinetic parameters of vancomycin in premature neonates given vancomycin according to a dosage protocol developed in our neonatal unit. Study infants were administered vancomycin according to four postconceptional age (PCA) groups: (0) 18 mg/kg every 36 h for PCA < 27 weeks; (I) 16 mg/kg every 24 h for PCA 27-30 weeks; (II) 18 mg/kg every 18 h for PCA 31-36 weeks; and (III) 15 mg/kg every 12 h for PCA > or = 37 weeks. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated from peak and trough serum vancomycin concentrations at steady state. Results in 44 infants (PCA, 27-44 weeks) showed that our dosage regimen achieved target peak serum vancomycin concentrations in 64% of neonates in Groups I-III, although it tended to undershoot the target trough concentrations. Volume of distribution (Vd), normalized for body weight, remained constant throughout the PCA range, with a mean value of 0.56 L/kg, whereas absolute clearance (r = 0.81) and normalized clearance (r = 0.48) increased with PCA (p < 0.005). The increase in clearance with PCA is associated with a greater elimination rate constant and shorter half-life. Vancomycin therapy can be initiated in a standard fashion according to our protocol or by individualizing the dosage regimen based on a Vd of 0.56 L/kg and clearance estimated from the infant's body weight and PCA groups.
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D018805:Sepsis / Q000188:drug therapy; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D014640:Vancomycin