Meropenem pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and Monte Carlo simulation in the neonate.
BACKGROUND
Hospitalized neonates are exposed to antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens and develop nosocomial infections. Limited data are available regarding the neonatal pharmacokinetics of meropenem, a broad spectrum carbapenem antibiotic.


METHODS
Neonates <2 months of age received a single dose of meropenem at 10 or 20 mg/kg. Meropenem serum concentrations were measured at specified times during the 24 hours postinfusion. Population pharmacokinetics (PPK) were evaluated using NONMEM. Using Monte Carlo simulation (MCS), the probability of pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic target attainment was evaluated by computer modeling from predictions extrapolated from PPK data, using "virtual" dosing regimens of 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg administered every 8 or 12 hours against community- and hospital-acquired pathogens.


RESULTS
Thirty-seven neonates were enrolled, 22 were born at <36 weeks (range, 23-41 weeks) gestational age. Meropenem clearance was greater in neonates with older chronologic ages and in those born at later gestational ages. Serum creatinine and postconceptional age (PCA) were the best overall predictors of meropenem elimination: CL (L/h/kg) = 0.041 + 0.040/SCr + 0.003 x (PCA-35). MCS demonstrated that in infants during the first 2 weeks of life, a dosage of 20 mg/kg/dose every 8 hours achieved the desired PD target in 95% of preterm neonates and 91% of term neonates against Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from patients managed in adult and pediatric intensive care units in the United States.


CONCLUSIONS
MCS based on PPK determinations demonstrated that a meropenem dose of 20 mg/kg every 8 hours should provide adequate therapy for most nosocomial Gram-negative pathogens.
Bradley
John S
JS
Division of Infectious diseases, Children's Hospital and Health Center, San Diego, CA 92123, USA. jbradley@chsd.org
Sauberan
Jason B
JB
Ambrose
Paul G
PG
Bhavnani
Sujata M
SM
Rasmussen
Maynard R
MR
Capparelli
Edmund V
EV
D000367:Age Factors; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D000077731:Meropenem; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D044967:Serum / Q000737:chemistry; D013845:Thienamycins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D014481:United States
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D013845:Thienamycins; D003404:Creatinine; D000077731:Meropenem