International journal of antimicrobial agents
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Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents · Mar 2014
ReviewDose optimisation of antibiotics in children: application of pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics in paediatrics.
The judicious use of antibiotics to combat infections in children relies upon appropriate selection of an agent, dose and duration to maximise efficacy and to minimise toxicity. Critical to dose optimisation is an understanding of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of available drugs. ⋯ This review will outline the fundamentals of antimicrobial pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics through discussion of antibacterial agents most often used in children. We aim to highlight the importance of dose optimisation in paediatrics and describe non-conventional dosing strategies that can take advantage of PK/PD principles at the bedside.