Retrospective analysis of tigecycline shows that it may be an option for children with severe infections

Aim: This study assessed the efficacy and safety of tigecycline in children with life-threatening infections. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of patients treated with tigecycline from June 2012 to May 2014 in a Chinese tertiary centre. Results: The study comprised 24 patients (14 male) with a median age of four years (range, 50 days-12 years). The most frequently isolated microorganism, most common isolation site and type of infection were Acinetobacter baumannii, tracheal aspirate fluid and ventilator-associated pneumonia, respectively. Tigecycline was administered at a loading dose of 1.5 or 2.0 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg every 12 hours after that. The average duration of treatment was 11.6 +/- 5.8 days. The clinical response and microbiological eradication rate were 37.5% and 29.2%, respectively. Six of the patients we studied (25.0%) died, and three of these deaths were considered to be infection related. Adverse drug reactions were identified in four patients (16.7%) during the treatment, including abnormal liver function, prolonged prothrombin time and diarrhoea. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that tigecycline may be an option for children with severe infections. However, more prospective, controlled trials are required to objectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of tigecycline in children.