Fluoroquinolone Use in Children

In recent decades, there has been extensive development, clinical investigation, licensure and use of fluoroquinolone (FQ) antibiotics, yet none has been licensed for pediatric use since naladixic acid in 1962. Compared with naladixic acid, these new FQs, including ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin and gemifloxacin, have a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activity and favorable pharmacologic properties, but concerns for adverse events have prevented licensure in children. Moreover widespread use of FQ in children would likely further increase the prevalence of FQ resistant pathogens, already described with adult use. Nonetheless physicians who care for children may find themselves faced with therapeutic situations where FQ offer significant benefits for their patients.