Clinical evaluation of imipenem/cilastatin sodium against infections in compromised children (malignancy, hematological disease, collagen disease)]

Eighteen immuno-compromised children (malignancies, hematological diseases, collagen diseases) with neutropenia and infections were treated with imipenem/cilastatin sodium (IPM/CS), and the efficacy and the safety of the drug were evaluated. 1. Responses to IPM/CS were excellent in 13 patients, good in 1, and fair in 4. None of the patients displayed a poor response to the treatment thus the efficacy rate was 77.8%. 2. Of 5 patients with sepsis, 4 had excellent or good responses. IPM/CS was effective against sepsis caused by Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. 3. In patients with severe neutropenia (WBC less than 100/mm3), the efficacy rate was 70%. 4. As for side effects, elevations of GOT and GPT were observed in 1 patient with liver cirrhosis. These results indicate that IPM/CS is safe and effective in immuno-compromised children with neutropenia and infections.