title: Use of linezolid in neonatal and pediatric inpatient facilities--results of a retrospective multicenter survey.
abstract: The purpose of this investigation was to describe the use of linezolid in pediatric inpatient facilities. A retrospective multicenter survey including data from nine participating tertiary care pediatric inpatient facilities in Germany and Austria was undertaken. Data on 126 off-label linezolid treatment courses administered to 108 patients were documented. The survey comprises linezolid treatment in a broad spectrum of clinical indications to children of all age groups; the median age was 6.8 years (interquartile range 0.6-15.5 years; range 0.1-21.2 years; ten patients were older than 18 years of age but were treated in pediatric inpatient units). Of the 126 treatment courses, 27 (21%) were administered to preterm infants, 64 (51%) to pediatric oncology patients, and 5% to patients soon after liver transplantation. In 25%, the infection was related to a medical device. Linezolid iv treatment was started after intensive pre-treatment (up to 11 other antibiotics for a median duration of 14 days) and changed to enteral administration in only 4% of all iv courses. In 39 (53%) of 74 courses administered to children older than 1 week and younger than 12 years of age, the dose was not adjusted to age-related pharmacokinetic parameters. In only 17 courses (13%) was a pediatric infectious disease consultant involved in the clinical decision algorithm. Linezolid seemed to have contributed to a favorable outcome in 70% of all treatment courses in this survey. Although retrospective, this survey generates interesting data on the off-label use of linezolid and highlights several important clinical aspects in which the use of this rescue antibiotic in children might be improved.
authors: Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Saarland University Hospital, University of Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany. Arne.Simon@uks.eu
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Simon
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Müllenborn
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Prelog
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Schenk
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Holzapfel
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Ebinger
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Klabunde-Cherwon
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Faber
authors: A H
authors: AH
authors: Groll
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Masjosthusmann
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Dohna-Schwake
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Beutel
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Dirkwinkel
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Lehrnbecher
authors: R A
authors: RA
authors: Ammann
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Müller
mesh_terms: D000081:Acetamides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001317:Austria; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D000069349:Linezolid; D008297:Male; D056687:Off-Label Use / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D023303:Oxazolidinones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000081:Acetamides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D023303:Oxazolidinones; D000069349:Linezolid