The treatment of pneumonia in children: Ceftriaxone (Rocephin* * Rocephin, ceftriaxone - Hoffmann-La Roche, Switzerland.) v. Amoxicillin plus tobramycin an open trial

Forty children with radiologically proven pneumonia were treated at random with ceftriaxone (Rocephin) 50 mg/kg/day in a single dose i.m. or with amoxicillin 50 mg/kg/day per os in three divided doses plus tobramycin 5 mg/kg/day i.m. in two divided doses. After 10 days of treatment 20 20 children on ceftriaxone therapy v. 18 19 children of the second group showed a complete resolution of the radiological picture. No statistically significant differences (χ² = 1.94; P = NS) were recorded. Good systemic tolerance and no changes in laboratory parameters were observed in both groups. Monochemotherapy with ceftriaxone thus appears safe and effective in the treatment of pneumonia in children. Its long serum half-life and single daily administration is advantageous in paediatric practice.