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Background and Objective Ceftriaxone is a cornerstone antibiotic for critically ill children with severe infections. Despite its widespread use, information on the pharmacokinetics of ceftriaxone is lacking in this population. We aimed to determine ceftriaxone pharmacokinetics in critically ill children and to propose ceftriaxone dosing guidelines resulting in adequate target attainment using population pharmacokinetic modeling and simulation. Methods Critically ill children (aged 0-18 years) treated with intravenous ceftriaxone (100 mg/kg once daily, infused in 30 minutes) and a central or arterial line in place were eligible. Opportunistic blood sampling for total and unbound ceftriaxone concentrations was used. Population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using non-linear mixed-effects modeling on NONMEM™ Version 7.4.3. Simulations were performed to select optimal doses using probability of target attainment for two pharmacokinetic targets of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) reflecting the susceptibility of pathogens (f T > MIC 100% and fT > 4 × MIC 100%). Results Two hundred and five samples for total and 43 time-matched samples for unbound plasma ceftriaxone concentrations were collected from 45 patients, median age 2.5 (range 0.1-16.7) years. A two-compartment model with bodyweight as the co-variate for volume of distribution and clearance, and creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate as an additional covariate for clearance, best described ceftriaxone pharmacokinetics. For a typical patient (2.5 years, 14 kg) with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 80 mL/min/1.73 m 2 , the current 100-mg/kg once-daily dose results in a probability of target attainment of 96.8% and 60.8% for a MIC of 0.5 mg/L and 4 × MIC (2 mg/L), respectively, when using fT > MIC 100% as a target. For a 50-mg/kg twice-daily regimen, the probability of target attainment was 99.9% and 93.4%, respectively. Conclusions The current dosing regimen of ceftriaxone provides adequate exposure for susceptible pathogens in most critically ill children. In patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of > 80 mL/min/1.73 m 2 or in areas with a high prevalence of less-susceptible pathogens (MIC ≥ 0.5 mg/L), a twice-daily dosing regimen of 50 mg/kg can be considered to improve target attainment.

Dimethylacetamide (DMA) is a solvent used in the preparation of intravenous busulfan, an alkylating agent used in blood or marrow transplantation. DMA may contribute to hepatic toxicity, so it is important to monitor its clearance. The aim of this study was to develop an HPLC-UV assay for measurement of DMA in human plasma. After precipitation of plasma proteins with acetonitrile followed by dilution (1:4) with water, the extract was injected onto the HPLC and detected at 195 nm. Separation was performed using a Cogent-HPS 5 μm C column (250 × 4.6 mm) preceded by a Brownlee 7 μm RP , pre-column (1.5 cm × 3.2 mm). The mobile phase was 25 mm sodium phosphate buffer (pH 3), containing 2.5% (v/v) acetonitrile and 0.0005% (v/v) sodium-octyl-sulfonate. Using a flow rate of 1 mL/min, the retention times of DMA and the internal standard (IS), 2-chloroacetamide, were 9.5 and 3.5 min, respectively. Peak area ratio (DMA:IS) was a linear function of concentration from 1 to 1000 μg/mL. There was excellent intraday precision (<5% for 5-700 μg/mL DMA), accuracy (<3% deviation from the true concentration) and recovery (74-98%). The limits of detection and quantification were 1 and 5 μg/mL, respectively. In eight children who received intravenous busulfan, DMA concentrations ranged from 110 to 438 μg/mL.

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Background Cefotaxime is frequently used in critically ill children, however pharmacokinetic (PK) studies to support adequate dosing in this patient population are limited. Objectives To characterize cefotaxime PK in critically ill children and evaluate exposures achieved by current and alternative dosing regimens. Methods Children (0–18 years) admitted to the paediatric ICU, receiving intravenous cefotaxime (100–150 mg/kg/day, interval 6–8 h) were included (Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03248349). Total plasma cefotaxime concentrations were measured on multiple study days. Population-PK analysis was performed using nonlinear mixed effects modelling (NONMEM™). Dose evaluations were performed using typical patients across the paediatric age range and target attainment was determined for MICs of 0.5, 2 and 4 mg/L. Results 479 cefotaxime plasma concentrations from 52 children (median age 1.6, range 0.03–17.7 years) were used to describe cefotaxime PK. We describe a two-compartment structural model with interindividual variability, including bodyweight as covariate for volume of distribution and clearance. Model predicted exposure for 150 mg/kg/day (current dose) showed trough concentrations &lt;0.5 mg/L in patients &gt;4 years of age. The maximum cefotaxime doses (200 mg/kg/day, interval 6 h) proved adequate for MICs ≤0.5 mg/L across the whole age range. Similar daily doses with increased frequency (interval 4 h) covered MICs up to 2 mg/L, while a loading dose followed by continuous infusion regimens are needed to adequately treat MICs of 4 mg/L. Conclusions Higher cefotaxime doses are required for adequate exposure for most pathogens in critically ill children. A higher dose frequency or continuous infusion is advisable to improve target attainment for intermediately susceptible pathogens.

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Objective: The Aim of this study was to check Psychological appraisal of orthodontic patient during COVID 19 outbreak, and whether the pandemic have affected the attendance of the orthodontic patients. Method: Total 500 patients participated in the survey. A questionnaire consisting of 11 multiple-choice questions was distributed. Upon receiving of the completed questionnaires, the data were statistically analyzed. Results: A total of 500 Orthodontic patients (232 M, 268 F) completed the survey. Participants between 20 and 29 years old were the most common (n=232) age group. Most participants were student (n=363). A total of 331 patients (66.2%) believed that there was a greater risk of COVID-19 at orthodontic practice, but 328 patients (65.6%) felt comfortable going back to the orthodontist. 290 (58%) people willing to start orthodontic treatment if COVID-19 persists. Out of 500 orthodontic patients 450 (90%) were undergoing fixed treatment and 1(3.3%) patients were having removable appliances. Among the 484(96.8%) patients with orthodontic treatment, 466 (96.3%) return to the orthodontic practice, while 18(3.6%) patients were not able come back.