The use of fluoroquinolones in pediatrics - A reassessment

The fluoroquinolones have become an excellent group of antibiotics that are widely used in adult patients. Unfortunately, their use in pediatric patients remains limited because of the potential for joint toxicity observed in juvenile animal experiments. In recent years, a dramatic change in the susceptibility of many pediatric pathogens to commonly used antibiotics has occurred. Many of these multidrug-resistant pathogens are sensitive to the quinolones. In addition, the new fluoroquinolones have extended activity against gram-positive bacteria, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, and they also offer convenient oral dosing and very good tissue penetration. Therefore, we believe that the reluctance to use this antibiotic family in children should be reexamined.