1988 Volume 41 Issue 3 Pages 236-243
Ceftriaxone (CTRX) was clinically evaluated and its pharmacokinetics studied in neonates and premature infants, and the results obtained are summarized as follows.
1. Average blood levels of CTRX after intravenous administration of 10mg/kg in 3 neonates with birth weights of 2,500g or more were 45.32mcg/ml at 15 minutes, 28.91mcg/ml at 1 hour, 15.76mcg/ml at 6 hours, and 16.28mcg/ml at 12 hours, and the half-lifew as 9.93 hours. The half1ife in a newly born premature infant (less than 1 day) was 28.90 hours, and in a premature infant 6 days old it was 12.90 hours.
2. Average blood levels after intravenous administration of 20mg/kg to 2 neonates aged 0 and 3 days with birth weights of 2, 500g or more, were 129.7mcg/ml at 15 minutes, 60.94mcg/ml at 1 hour, 32.04mcg/ml at 6 hours, and 24.23mcg/ml at 12 hours, and the half-life as 8.95 hours. The half-life in a newly born premature infant (less than 1 day) was 20.70 hours.
3. Urinary recovery rates of CTRX in 12 hours after intravenous administration of 10 or 20mg/kg to 6 neonates aged 0 to 3 days (including premature infants) ranged from 13.8 to 50.6%.
4. Clinical efficacies of CTRX were excellent or good in 3 of 4 neonates including infants suspected of having infections ( efficacy rate: 75%).
5. As a side effect, diarrhea was noted in 1 case.