BNF for Children 2011-2012

BNFC 2011–2012 5.1 Antibacterial drugs 249Urinary tractUrinary-tract infectionChild under 3 months of age, i/v amoxicillin 1 + gentamicin or i/v cephalosporin aloneChild over 3 months of age with uncomplicated lower urinary-tract infection, trimethoprim ornitrofurantoinSuggested duration of treatment 3 days.Re-assess child if unwell 24–48 hours after initial assessmentChild over 3 months of age, alternative for uncomplicated lower urinary-tract infection,amoxicillin 1 or oral cephalosporin (e.g. cefalexin)Use amoxicillin only if micro-organism sensitive.Suggested duration of treatment 3 days.Re-assess child if unwell 24–48 hours after initial assessmentChild over 3 months of age with acute pyelonephritis, a cephalosporin or co-amoxiclavSuggested duration of treatment 7–10 daysGenital systemNeonatal congenital syphilisBenzylpenicillinAlso consider treating neonates with suspected congenital syphilis whose mothers were treated inadequatelyfor syphilis, or whose mothers were treated for syphilis in the 4 weeks before delivery, or whosemothers were treated with non-penicillin antibacterials for syphilis.Suggested duration of treatment 10 daysSyphilisContact tracing recommended.Child under 12 years, benzylpenicillin or procaine benzylpenicillin [unlicensed]Suggested duration of treatment 10 daysChild 12–18 years, early syphilis (infection of less than 2 years), benzathine benzylpenicillin[unlicensed]Suggested duration of treatment single-dose (repeat dose after 7 days for females in the third trimester ofpregnancy)Child 12–18 years, alternatives for early syphilis, doxycycline or erythromycinSuggested duration of treatment 14 daysChild 12–18 years, late latent syphilis (asymptomatic infection of more than 2 years),benzathine benzylpenicillin [unlicensed]Suggested duration of treatment once weekly for 2 weeksChild 12–18 years, alternative for late latent syphilis, doxycyclineSuggested duration of treatment 28 daysChild 12–18 years who is an asymptomatic contact of a patient with infectious syphilis,doxycyclineSuggested duration of treatment 14 daysGonorrhoea: uncomplicatedContact tracing recommended. Consider chlamydia co-infection. Choice of antibacterial depends on locality whereinfection acquired.Child under 12 years, ceftriaxoneSuggested duration of treatment single-doseChild 12–18 years, cefiximeSuggested duration of treatment single-doseChild 12–18 years, alternative if micro-organism sensitive, ciprofloxacinSuggested duration of treatment single-doseChild 12–18 years with pharyngeal infection, ceftriaxoneSuggested duration of treatment single-dose1. Where amoxicillin is suggested ampicillin may be used5 Infections