title: New dosing strategies for antibacterial agents in the neonate.
abstract: Dosing of antibiotics in neonates requires finding a delicate balance between maximal efficacy and minimal toxicity. There is a lack of data on efficacy of currently used antibiotics in neonates, and rational dosing therefore needs to be based on gestational- and postnatal-age-dependent pharmacokinetics in combination with surrogate markers. These surrogate markers are: (i) the area-under-the serum concentration time curve to minimum inhibitory concentration ratio (AUC/MIC); (ii) peak concentration to MIC ratio (Cmax/MIC); and (iii) the time the concentration remains above the MIC (T>MIC). Whereas the efficacy of beta-lactam antibiotics (including carbapenems) depends on T>MIC, the efficacy of most other antimicrobials (including aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones) is related to AUC/MIC and Cmax/MIC. Most modern dosing regimens are adequate when these concentration effect relationships are taken into account. Dosing adjustments in neonates are suggested, based on these relationships. Several antimicrobial combinations for treatment of meningitis and necrotizing enterocolitis exist. Empiric treatment should be based on efficacy, concerns about resistance as well as information from institutional microbiological surveillance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC-Sophia, Sophia Children's Hospital, Dr Molewaterplein 60, 3015 GJ Rotterdam, The Netherlands. m.dehoog@erasmusmc.nl
authors.forename: Matthijs
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Hoog
authors.forename: Johan W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Mouton
authors.forename: John N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: van den Anker
mesh_terms: D000617:Aminoglycosides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000188:drug therapy; D006020:Glycopeptides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy; D010406:Penicillins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D000617:Aminoglycosides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D006020:Glycopeptides; D010406:Penicillins