Population Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Vancomycin in Pediatric Patients With Various Degrees of Renal Function.

Objective: Although vancomycin dosage recommendations in the pediatric setting for methicillin-resistant (MRSA) infection indicate that ≥60 mg/kg/day is correlated to a desired area under the vancomycin concentration time curve from 0 to 24 hours to minimum inhibitory concentration ratio (AUC/MIC) ≥400, for some patients this dosage is inadequate or relates to toxicity. This study purposed to explore vancomycin dosing for pediatrics with various degrees of renal function.

Methods: Routine monitoring data were retrospectively collected from patients, aged 1 month to 18 years. Population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed by using non-linear mixed-effect model with NONMEM software, and Monte Carlo simulation was conducted by using Crystal Ball software.

Results: Two hundred twelve patients with 348 vancomycin serum concentrations were included. Median age was 3.5 years (IQR, 0.9-10.9), median weight was 14.0 kg (IQR, 7.2-30.4), with baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ranging from 15.5 to 359.3 mL/min/1.73 m. A 1-compartment model with first-order elimination sufficiently described vancomycin PK. The dosing targeting AUC/MIC ≥400 and AUC <800 mg•h/L for pediatric patients with eGFRs of 15 to 29, 30 to 59, 60 to 89, 90 to 129, and 130 to 160 mL/min/1.73 m was 12.5, 25, 40, 60, and 70 mg/kg/day, respectively. All vancomycin dosing obtained >85% of the cumulative fraction of response across the MIC distribution of MRSA.

Conclusions: Vancomycin dosing of 12.5, 25, 40, 60, and 70 mg/kg/day is suggested for pediatric patients with eGFRs of 15 to 29, 30 to 59, 60 to 89, 90 to 129, and 130 to 160 mL/min/1.73 m, respectively.