[Gentamicin pharmacokinetics in term newborn: ¿Is it necessary to systematically monitor plasmatic levels?].

Background: Gentamicin is indicated as empiric treatment for neonatal sepsis. Plasmatic levels dosification of gentamicin is a common practice. The relationship between peak plasma concentration (Cmáx) with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (Cmáx/MIC) is the parameter that best predicts treatment efficacy.

Vancomycin pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic parameters to optimize dosage administration in critically ill children.

Objective: Critically ill children may present changes in pharmacokinetic parameters and may not reach effective concentrations of vancomycin with current dosages. The objective of this study is to calculate vancomycin pharmacokinetic parameters in critically ill children and to estimate area under the curve at 24 hrs/minimal inhibitory concentration reached for Staphylococcus aureus.

Design, Setting, And Patients: Children treated with vancomycin, hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit of the Pediatric Hospital-Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell, were included.

[Antibiotic consumption and antimicrobial susceptibility evolution in the Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell in methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus era].

Introduction: In the past few years, an increase in methicillin resistant-not multiresistant Staphylococcus aureus was observed in Uruguay among children with community acquired infections. Recommendations for empiric antibiotic treatment required adjustments and new national guidelines were recommended in July 2004. Adherence to these guidelines was indirectly performed by monitoring antibiotic consumption and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in Uruguay.

Ampicillin and penicillin concentration in serum and pleural fluid of hospitalized children with community-acquired pneumonia.

Background: Optimal therapeutic efficacy of beta-lactam antibiotics for treatment of pneumococcal pneumonia is thought to be associated with the serum concentration greater than the minimum inhibitory concentration for 40-50% of the interdose interval at site of infection.

Objective: Establish whether intravenous administration of ampicillin 400 mg/kg/day or penicillin 200,000 IU/kg/day in 6 divided doses reaches serum and or pleural concentrations above 4 microg/ml for at least 40% of the interdose interval.

Materials And Methods: Hospitalized healthy children 1 month-14 years old with community-acquired bacterial pneumonia and empyema were eligible.