Is penicillin G a better choice than ampicillin for prophylaxis of neonatal group B streptococcal infections?
A review of the pharmacokinetics and the narrow spectrum of action of penicillin G favors this antibiotic over ampicillin for the prophylaxis of early neonatal group B streptococcal (GBS) disease. Penicillin G provides good placental transfer and fetal and neonatal tissue levels. Group B streptococcal disease has a narrower range of sensitivities to penicillin G than to ampicillin, and the potential for selecting more resistant organisms may be greater with the broader spectrum of ampicillin than with penicillin G.
Amstey
M S
MS
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, New York.
Gibbs
R S
RS
D000667:Ampicillin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010400:Penicillin G / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010403:Penicillin Resistance; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000187:drug effects
D000667:Ampicillin; D010400:Penicillin G