Empiric use of cefepime in the treatment of serious urinary tract infections in children

Background. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in childhood. They represent a significant proportion (10%) of hospital-acquired infections in children, Bacteria causing UTIs in children vary, depending on the setting (community-acquired vs. nosocomial), underlying anatomic anomalies and concurrent medical conditions, Objective. To review published and unpublished clinical studies that have used cefepime for the treatment of UTIs in children, Methods and results. In two recent multicenter, randomized trials, cefepime (50 mg/kg/dose every 8 h and every 12 h) was compared with ceftazidime (50 mg/kg/dose every 8 h) for the treatment of serious urinary tract infections including pyelonephritis in children less than 12 years of age, In these studies a favorable clinical and microbiologic response was observed in >95% of cefepime-treated and ceftazidime-treated children assessed at the end of treatment. Conclusions. These results indicate that cefepime represents an important therapeutic option for the treatment of serious UTIs in children.