Skip to main content
Home / The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Volume 13, Number 9

Rifampicin serum levels in childhood tuberculosis

Buy Article:

$34.78 + tax (Refund Policy)

Authors: Thee, S. 1 ; Detjen, A. 2 ; Wahn, U. 2 ; Magdorf, K. 3 ; 

Source: The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Volume 13, Number 9, September 2009, pp. 1106-1111(6)

Publisher: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

BACKGROUND: Rifampicin (RMP) is an essential drug in paediatric anti-tuberculosis treatment. The current World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines recommend an oral dosage of 10 (8–12) mg per kg body weight.

OBJECTIVE: To present a study investigating RMP serum levels in children after oral medication of RMP alone and after combination treatment with ethambutol (EMB).

DESIGN: RMP serum levels in children of different age groups were determined after a single oral administration of 10 mg/kg RMP alone as well as after combination with 35 mg/kg EMB.

RESULTS: RMP serum levels were lower than those expected in adults receiving a similar oral dose. RMP serum levels in combination treatment were even lower than in monotherapy.

CONCLUSION: Currently recommended RMP dosages in childhood tuberculosis lead to serum levels lower than those recommended for adults, probably due to different pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in children. In children, it appears to be more valid to calculate RMP dosage on the basis of body surface area rather than body weight, leading to higher dosages especially in younger children.

Keywords: childhood tuberculosis; pharmacokinetics; rifampicin; serum levels

Document Type: Regular Paper

Affiliations: 1: Department of Paediatric Pneumology and Immunology, Helios Klinikum Emil von Behring, Chest Hospital Heckeshorn, Berlin, Germany 2: Department of Paediatric Pneumology and Immunology, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany 3: Department of Paediatric Pneumology and Immunology, Helios Klinikum Emil von Behring, Chest Hospital Heckeshorn, Berlin, Germany; and Department of Paediatric Pneumology and Immunology, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany

Publication date: 01 September 2009

More about this publication?

  • The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IJTLD) is for clinical research and epidemiological studies on lung health, including articles on TB, TB-HIV and respiratory diseases such as COVID-19, asthma, COPD, child lung health and the hazards of tobacco and air pollution. Individuals and institutes can subscribe to the IJTLD online or in print – simply email us at [email protected] for details.

    The IJTLD is dedicated to understanding lung disease and to the dissemination of knowledge leading to better lung health. To allow us to share scientific research as rapidly as possible, the IJTLD is fast-tracking the publication of certain articles as preprints prior to their publication. Read fast-track articles.

  • Editorial Board
  • Information for Authors
  • Subscribe to this Title
  • International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
  • Public Health Action
  • Ingenta Connect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites

Share Content

  • Access Key
  • Free content
  • Partial Free content
  • New content
  • Open access content
  • Partial Open access content
  • Subscribed content
  • Partial Subscribed content
  • Free trial content