The pharmacokinetics of cefoperazone in premature infants

Sepsis and bacterial meningitis are associated with a high degree of morbidity and mortality in the newborn period. In a recent review by Freedman, et al regarding neonatal sepsis, it was stated that the most common etiologic agents isolated (384 isolates recovered from 359 neonates) during a 13 year period (1966-1978) were Escherichia coli (37.7 percent), Group B Streptococcus (25.3 percent), Klebsiella-Enterobacter (14.6 percent), Staphylococcus aureus (6.3 Percent), Haemophilus spp. (2.9 percent), Pseudomonas spp. (2.3 percent), Proteus spp. (1.6 percent), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (0.8 percent). Morbidity and mortality associated with sepsis and meningitis remain high despite the administration of antimicrobial agents effective against the most common causative organisms, Escherichia coli and Group B Streptococcus. The goal of treatment of sepsis and meningitis is to attain and maintain blood and cerebrospinal fluid levels of the appropriate anticmicrobial sufficient to eradicate the etiologic organism and prevent relapse. The currently accepted antiinfective treatment for neonatal sepsis or meningitis is the concurrent intravenous administration of ampicillin and gentamicin. The objectives of this study were to determine the pharmacokinetics of cefoperazone when administered as a single intravenous dose to premature infants, and tom detect and toxicity as reflected by changes in standard laboratory parameters and clinical signs and/or symptoms.