[Pharmacokinetic and clinical studies with sisomicin in paediatrics (author's transl)]

Abstract

Pharmakokinetic and clinical investigations were carried out with sisomicin, one of the newer aminoglycoside antibiotics, in 40 children aged from seven days to ten years. Serum concentrations were determined in 35 children 1/2, 1, 2, 4 and 6 hours after i. m. injection of 1.0 mg sisomicin/kg body weight. The average peak serum levels were 2.48 mg/l in children under three months and 3.58 mg/l in children between seven months and ten years. Renal elimination in newborns is delayed in comparison to older infants and children; the distribution volume of the central compartment diminishes with increasing age. The effect of these two counteracting tendencies is that renal clearance remains constant in the age groups investigated, however the frequency of drug administration must be adjusted according to age. During an average treatment period of ten days adequate serum concentrations between 3.1 mg/l and 6.2 mg/l one hour after injection could be achieved with dosages adjusted to age and body weight. Clinical results were good: 18 out of 20 children could be cured clinically, and 20 out of 21 isolated infectious agents were eliminated. There were no problems in local and systemic tolerance.