Population Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Meropenem in Critically Ill Pediatric Patients

This study investigates the optimal meropenem (MEM) dosing regimen for critically ill pediatric patients, for which there is a lack of pharmacokinetic ( PK) studies. We conducted a retrospective single-center PK and pharmacodynamic (PD) analysis of 34 pediatric intensive care unit patients who received MEM. Individual PK parameters were determined by a two-compartment analysis. The median (range) age and body weight were 1.4 (0.03 to 14.6) years and 8.9 (2.7 to 40.9) kg, respectively, and eight (23.5%) patients received continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), three of whom received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Renal function, the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) score for the clearance (CL), and the use of CRRT for the central volume of distribution (Vc) were identified as significant covariates. The mean CL, Vc, and peripheral volume of distribution (V-p) were 0.45 liters/kg/h, 0.49 liters/kg, and 0.34 liters/kg, respectively. The mean population CL of MEM increased by 35% in patients with SIRS and Vc increased by 66% in patients on CRRT in the final model. Dosing simulations suggested that the standard dosing regimen provided insufficient PD exposures of a 100% free time above the MIC, and higher doses (40 to 80mg/kg of body weight/dose every 8 h) with a prolonged 3-h infusion were required to ensure the appropriate PD exposures for patients with SIRS. Our PK model indicated that critically ill pediatric patients are at risk of subtherapeutic exposure under the standard dosing regimen of MEM. A larger, prospective investigation confirming the safety and efficacy of higher concentrations and prolonged infusion of MEM is necessary.