The use of fluoroquinolones in children.
OBJECTIVE
The fluoroquinolones are an important group of antibiotics widely used in the treatment of various infectious diseases in adults, as a result of an excellent spectrum of activity, good tissue penetration and convenient ways of administration. Their use in children is limited as a result of possible fluoroquinolone-induced joint/cartilage toxicity observed mainly in juvenile animal studies.


RESULTS
Fluoroquinolones were successfully used in immunocompromised children and also in those suffering from multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections (including neonatal infections and multidrug-resistant enteric infections caused by Salmonella and Shigella spp.). The fluoroquinolones were shown to be efficacious and well tolerated in the treatment of complicated cases of acute otitis media. The emergence of Streptococcus pneumoniae with reduced susceptibility to fluoroquinolones has been described worldwide. No arthropathy associated with fluoroquinolone use in children was evident.


CONCLUSIONS
With the exception of cystic fibrosis and life-endangering infections, the use of fluoroquinolones in pediatrics should be limited to Gram-negative neonatal meningitis, Salmonella and Shigella spp. infections, chronic suppurative otitis media and some cases of complicated acute otitis media. Unskilled use of fluoroquinolones in children, particularly in community-acquired lower respiratory infections, could accelerate the emergence of pneumococcal resistance.
Pediatric Infectious Disease Unit, Soroka University Medical Center and the Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. eugenel@bgumail.bgu.ac.il
Eugene
E
Leibovitz
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002648:Child; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D024841:Fluoroquinolones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000077734:Gatifloxacin; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000188:drug therapy; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D000077734:Gatifloxacin