1: ABX Therapy

Question 1

What is the recommended empiric ABX therapy for febrile children younger than 36 months:

Younger than 1 month?

Answer 1

• Ampicillin (100-200 mg/kg/day IV or IM divided q 6 hours) + Gentamicin (2.5 mg/kg IV or IM q 8 hours, adjusted based on serum levels)

OR

• Ampicillin + Cefotaxime (50 mg/kg IV q 8 hours)

Question 2

What is the recommended empiric ABX therapy for febrile children younger than 36 months:

Older than 1 month, urinary findings?

Answer 2

Cefotaxime (50 mg/kg IV q 8 hours)

Question 3

What is the recommended empiric ABX therapy for febrile children younger than 36 months:

1-3 months, meningitis not suspected?

Answer 3

Ceftriaxone (Rocephin) (50 mg/kg/day IV or IM divided every 12-24 hours)

Question 4

What is the recommended empiric ABX therapy for febrile children younger than 36 months:

1-3 months, meningitis is a concern?

Answer 4

Ceftriaxone (100 mg/kg/day IV or IM divided every 12-24 hours)

Question 5

What is the recommended empiric ABX therapy for febrile children younger than 36 months:

1-3 months, Listeria or Enterococcus is a concern?

Answer 5

Add ampicillin (100-200 mg/kg/day IV or IM divided q 6 hours) to other ABX

Question 6

What is the recommended empiric ABX therapy for febrile children younger than 36 months:

Older than 3 months, suspected pneumonia?

Answer 6

• Amoxicillin (80 mg/kg/day divided q 8-12 hours)

OR

• Azithromycin (10 mg/kg on day 1, then 5 mg/kg for the next 4 days)