Antibiotics By Diagnosis (Peds)

Bugs & Drugs

Neonatal Infections

NOTE: All doses listed below are for patients >2 kg and at least 7 days of age

Any infant who has tachycardia out of proportion to fever or HR >180 in any age group has a serious bacterial infection (SBI) until proven otherwise. Other serious risk factors include lethargy, hyperventiliation, cyanosis, poor perfusion and hypotonia. Have a high suspicion and treat accordingly. Always treat for meningitis until you are sure it is not. Note that bacterial etiology and antimicrobial therapies are similar for all neonatal illnesses.

Fever of Uncertain Source (FUS)	Neonatal (0-30 days): GBS, E. coli, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Listeria or S. aureus (rare)	Send blood, urine and CSF cultures. Listeria, while infrequent at CCHMC, may sporadically occur in clustered cases. Ampicillin 200 mg/kg/day (if >2 kg) IV div Q6 AND Cefotaxime 200 mg/kg/day IV div Q6. Ampicillin 200 mg/kg/day (if >2 kg) IV div Q6 AND Gentamicin 3.5 mg/kg/day IV Q24. Consider risk factors for neonatal HSV disease. Test and treat accordingly.
Fever of Uncertain Source (FUS)	Neonatal (30-60 days): See above.	Workup: Blood and urine specimen. If low-risk (non-ill appearing), normal blood and urine analyses, parents and PMD okay, consider no LP, no antibiotics, and discharge home with f/u in 12-24 hours. Otherwise, LP + Abx. Cefotaxime 200 mg/kg/day IV div Q6 or Ceftriaxone1 100 mg/kg/day IV div Q12. If evidence of UTI or severly ill infant, add Ampicillin.
Meningitis	Preterm to 60 days: GBS (49%), E. coli (18%), Listeria (7%), misc GN's, GP's	Ampicillin 400 mg/kg/day (if >2 kg) IV div Q6 (if >7 days) AND Cefotaxime 200 mg/kg/day IV div Q6 (if >7 days). Ampicillin 400 mg/kg/day (if >2 kg) IV div Q6 (if >7 days) AND Gentamicin 4 mg/kg/day IV Q24. If GBS meningitis, treat 21 days. If GN meningitis, treat 21 days (and >14 days after CSF sterilizes). Tailor therapy when specific etiology known
Neonatal HSV	HSV type 1 or 2	Risk greatest under 3 weeks of age. Greatest risk factors is primary maternal HSV at delivery. Conjunctival disease may be manifestation of SEM disease. Acyclovir 20 mg/kg/dose Q8 IV x 21 days for CNS or disseminated disease. No role for oral acyclovir for known or suspected HSV disease. Add Trifluridine ophthalmic solution Q2 hours for ocular involvement. Always refer to Ophthalmologist immediately.
Pneumonia	GBS, Listeria, coliforms, S. aureus, Pseudomonas. If AF pneumonitis: Chlamydia, syphilis. Viruses: CMV, HSV, rubella.	Ampicillin 200 mg/kg/day (if >2 kg) IV div Q6 (if >7 days) AND Cefotaxime 200 mg/kg/day IV div Q6 (if >7 days). Ampicillin 200 mg/kg/day (if >2 kg) IV div Q6 (if >7 days) AND Gentamicin 3.5 mg/kg/day IV Q24. If suspect Chlamydia (afebrile, IgM >1:8, exposure, staccato cough), add Erythromycin ethyl succinate 40 mg/kg/day PO div Q6 x 14 days. Tailor therapy when specific pathogen identified.
Osteomyelitis	Newborn period: S. aureus, GN-bacilli, GBS, Gonococcus	Often afebrile, best predictor is localizing signs. 2/3 have positive blood cultures. Surgical drainage imperative. Seek etiologic diagnosis and tailor therapy. Empirix treatment: Nafcillin 200 mg/kg/day IV div Q6 AND Cefotaxime 150 mg/kg/day IV div Q8 for >21 days. Send joint fluid for cultures and treat based on etiology identified.
UTI	GBS, GN-rods, Listeria, S. aureus	Pursue imagain as outlined in CCHMC guidelines: www.cincinnatichildrens.org/guidelines. <2 weeks: Ampicillin 100 mg/kg/day IV div Q6 (or Q12 if <7 days) AND Gentamicin 3 mg/kg/day IV Q24 OR Cefotaxime 150 mg/kg/day IV div Q8 2 weeks - 2 months: Ampicillin 100 mg/kg/day IV div Q6 AND Cefotaxime 150 mg/kg/day div Q8
Neonatal conjunctivits	Neonatal: Determine cause and treatment by number of post-delivery days to onset. Prophylaxis is Erythromycin 0.5% ointment x1 or Tetracycline 1% or Silver Nitrate 1% x1 topical, applied at birth.
	Onset 2-4 days: N. gonorrheae	Hyperpurulent. Topical treatment insufficient. Evaluate for Chlamydia. Treat mother and partners. Ceftriaxone 25-50 mg/kg IV/IM x1 (max 125 mg); cannot be used in neonates requiring calcium-containing fluids OR Cefotaxime 100 mg/kg IV/IM x1. May treat >1 day for severe cases. Always irrigate eyes with saline.
	Onset 3-10 days: C. trachomatis	Erythromycin 50 mg/kg/day x10-14 days. Treat mother and partners. 20% have concomitant pneumonia. Azithromycin 20 mg/kg/day x3 days shown to be effective.
	Onset 6-14 days: HSV	Consider if serous discharge (not mucopurulent), bulbar injection and corneal dendrites on fluorescein exam. Consult ophtho immediately!