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. Samples to determine vancomycin serum concentration were obtained on first and third days of treatment, 1 hr after the end of the third daily dose administration (maximum drug concentration) and 15 mins before the fourth (minimum drug concentration). Half-life elimination, volume of distribution, clearance, and area under the curve at 24 hrs were estimated. Vancomycin concentration values of 20-40 μg/mL (maximum drug concentration) and 5-10 μg/mL (minimum drug concentration) were considered therapeutic. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Twenty-two children were included. On day 1, seven of 18 children for maximum drug concentration and 16 of 22 for minimum drug concentration reached concentrations in therapeutic range; on day 3, seven of 16 children for maximum drug concentration and 11 of 17 for minimum drug concentration did. Mean values of maximum drug concentration and minimum drug concentration were higher in children with negative water balance. Mean value of half-life elimination increased from day 1 to day 3. Considering a value of minimal inhibitory concentration for S. aureus of 1 μg/mL, nine of 18 children reached a relationship area under the curve at 24 hrs/minimal inhibitory concentration >400 on day 1 and seven of 15 on day 3. Considering a minimal inhibitory concentration of 2 μg/mL, one child reached it on day 1 and one on day 3. CONCLUSIONS: Critically ill children show changes in pharmacokinetic parameters. Serum concentration monitorization is necessary for dosage individualization. Most children do not reach an area under the curve at 24 hrs/minimal inhibitory concentration >400 with current dosage.