title: Oseltamivir dosing for influenza infection in premature neonates.
abstract: Under the Emergency Use Authorization issued in April 2009, oseltamivir can be used to treat 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in children aged <1 year. No data exist on the dosing of oseltamivir in premature babies. A hospital health care worker inadvertently exposed 32 neonatal intensive care unit babies to 2009 influenza A (H1N1); a protocol was expeditiously implemented to collect samples for pharmacokinetics and dosage evaluation. Results suggest 1.0 mg/kg/dose twice daily in premature babies produces oseltamivir carboxylate exposures similar to that in older children receiving 3.0 mg/kg/dose twice daily. These results provide initial guidance on dosing oseltamivir in this vulnerable population.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA. eacosta@uab.edu
authors.forename: Edward P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Acosta
authors.forename: Penelope
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jester
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gal
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wimmer
authors.forename: Joni
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wade
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Whitley
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Kimberlin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D053139:Oseltamivir / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D053139:Oseltamivir