Comparison of Vancomycin Clearance Between Augmented Renal Clearance and Normal Renal Function in Critically Ill Infants: A Population Pharmacokinetics Study

Abstract Augmented renal clearance presents as super‐renal function with enhanced renal perfusion and glomerular hyperfiltration in many critically ill infants. This study was to compare vancomycin clearance (CL) between critically ill infants with augmented renal clearance and with normal renal function and to optimize the vancomycin dosage. Data were retrospectively obtained from infants treated in intensive care units. Population pharmacokinetics analysis was conducted using nonlinear mixed‐effects model software. A total of 66 critically ill infants were included: 47 infants with augmented renal clearance and 19 infants with normal renal function. The median doses of vancomycin for infants with augmented renal clearance and with normal renal function were 48 and 47 mg/kg/day ( P > .05), respectively. The median CL in infants with augmented renal clearance was increased 1.96‐fold compared with infants who had normal renal function (0.98 versus 0.5 L/h, P < .001). Simulations indicated that the recommended dosage of 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 mg/kg/day would be appropriate in critically ill infants with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 130–149, 150–169, 170–189, 190–209, and >210 mL/min/1.73 m 2 , respectively. Doses of 70 and 75 mg/kg/day were recommended for infants with augmented renal clearance and gestational ages of 27–32.9 and 33–39 weeks, respectively. Doses of 70, 75, 80, and 90 mg/kg/day were recommended for infants with augmented renal clearance and weights of 2.0–2.9, 3.0–3.9, 4.0–4.9, and 5.0–6.0 kg, respectively. In conclusion, the typical vancomycin dosage is insufficient for critically ill infants with augmented renal clearance. Premature infants and infants of low weight with augmented renal clearance need individualized dosing regimens to obtain an adequate area under the serum concentration time curve over 24 h/minimum inhibitory concentration ratio.