Evaluation of Continuous Infusion Vancomycin in a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Population

Abstract

Background: Continuous infusion vancomycin (CIV) may benefit children who are unable to achieve therapeutic concentrations with intermittent vancomycin dosing and may facilitate outpatient administration by alleviating the burden of frequent dosing intervals. Previous studies have used variable dosing regimens and steady-state concentration goals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the total daily dose (TDD) of CIV required to achieve therapeutic steady-state concentrations of 15–25 µg/mL in pediatric hematology/oncology patients. Methods: A single-center retrospective study was performed for patients treated with CIV from January 2017 to June 2019. The primary outcome was the TDD required to achieve therapeutic steady-state concentrations on CIV. Secondary outcomes included time to reach therapeutic steady-state concentrations, CIV indications and adverse events associated with CIV. Results: Data were collected for 71 courses of CIV in 60 patients. Median patient age was 4 years (range: 0.4–20 years). The median TDD required to achieve initial therapeutic concentrations was 50.3 mg/kg/d (interquartile range: 38.8–59.2) and was further divided into age-based cohorts. TDD in mg/kg was significantly lower in the older cohort (P < 0.001), but there was no statistically significant difference between age-based cohorts with TDD in mg/m2 (P = 0.97). Median time to achieve first therapeutic concentration was 19.3 hours (range: 8.6–72.3 hours). The most common indication for CIV was ease of outpatient administration (69.0%). Acute kidney injury incidence was minimal (4.2%). Conclusions: CIV is associated with rapid attainment of target concentrations in pediatric hematology/oncology patients and is safe and well tolerated.