Ceftazidime Dosing in Pediatric Patients
The recommended dose of ceftazidime for pediatric patients varies by age and weight, with neonates receiving 100-150 mg/kg/day divided every 8-12 hours and infants/children ≤12 years receiving 100-150 mg/kg/day divided every 8 hours. 1
Dosing by Age Group
Neonates
- 0-4 weeks of age and <1200 g: 100 mg/kg/day divided every 12 hours 1
- Postnatal age ≤7 days and 1200-2000 g: 100 mg/kg/day divided every 12 hours 1
- Postnatal age ≤7 days and >2000 g: 100-150 mg/kg/day divided every 8-12 hours 1
- Postnatal age >7 days and ≥1200 g: 150 mg/kg/day divided every 8 hours 1
Infants and Children
- Infants and children ≤12 years of age: 100-150 mg/kg/day divided every 8 hours 1
- Maximum daily dose: 6 grams per day 2
Special Considerations
Cystic Fibrosis
- Higher doses (30-50 mg/kg IV to a maximum of 6 grams per day) may be required for lung infections caused by Pseudomonas species in patients with cystic fibrosis 2, 3
Immunocompromised Patients
- Higher doses should be reserved for immunocompromised pediatric patients, those with cystic fibrosis, or those with meningitis 2, 3
Renal Impairment
- Dose adjustment is required for patients with impaired renal function as ceftazidime is primarily excreted by the kidneys 2, 4
- For children with estimated creatinine clearance ≤50 mL/min/1.73 m², dose reductions similar to adults are recommended 4
Administration
- Ceftazidime may be given intravenously or by deep intramuscular injection 2
- For intravenous administration, a 2-hour infusion is recommended for ceftazidime-avibactam combinations 5
Pharmacokinetic Considerations
- Early studies established that the 8-hour dosing interval is appropriate based on the pharmacokinetic profile of ceftazidime in pediatric patients 3
- The half-life of ceftazidime in children is shorter than in neonates, supporting the more frequent dosing in older children 3, 6
Clinical Efficacy
- Ceftazidime has demonstrated efficacy in treating serious infections in pediatric patients, including neonatal septicemia, meningitis, and urinary tract infections 3
- It is particularly useful for infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other gram-negative pathogens 3, 6