ORIGINAL RESEARCH Achieving Therapeutic Vancomycin Levels in Pediatric Patients

Background: Vancomycin is widely used to treat infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Data for dosing and monitoring of this drug in pediatric patients are lacking, and clinicians who are treating children often follow guidelines established for adults. Objectives: To examine the total daily doses of vancomycin required to reach therapeutic trough levels (i.e., 10–20 mg/L) in infants, children, and adolescents, and to assess the number of pediatric patients in whom therapeutic trough levels are achieved with current empiric doses (40–60 mg/kg daily). Methods: This chart review evaluated patients 1 month to 18 years of age for whom vancomycin was prescribed at a single institution betwee