Feyza İnceköy Girgin, Okan Sarzep, Tolga Saracoglu, Makbule Nilufer Yalindag
Southern Clinics of Istanbul Eurasia - 2025;36(4):374-377
Objective: Vancomycin is an antibiotic frequently used in the treatment of resistant gram-positive infections. Although data on its efficacy and safety in pediatric patients are limited, it is widely used in clinical practice. Recommended trough serum levels are 15-20 mg/L, and peak levels are 20-40 mg/L. To reach these targets, it is generally administered at a dose of 40-60 mg/kg/day depending on the infection type. Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) admissions frequently involve clinical complexity. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the serum levels of vancomycin in patients treated in our unit. Methods: This retrospective study includes patients who were hospitalized in our PICU between 2015 and 2019, received vancomycin therapy, and had serum vancomycin levels measured. Results: Data from 14 patients (median age: 45.4 months, 42.9% male) were evaluated. Sepsis (50%) and pneumonia (21.4%) were the leading indications. The median vancomycin dose was 50 mg/kg/day (40-60), with a treatment duration of 7 days (2-10). In total, 30 serum vancomycin levels were analysed. Trough levels were measured in 47.6% and peak levels in 52.4% of patients, respectively. Levels were within the target range in 44.4%, below in 44.4%, and above in 11.1%. Conclusion: Optimal vancomycin levels in critically ill pediatric patients often necessitate individualized dosing strategies. Close monitoring remains essential to ensure both efficacy and safety.
