Regular Article Dose-finding and pharmacokinetic profiles of prophylactic doses of a low molecular weight heparin (reviparin-sodium) in pediatric patients

Introduction: The low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), reviparin–sodium was studied in dose-finding and pharmacokinetic studies in children with central venous lines (CVLs). Materials and methods: The dose-finding study was performed in 24 patients aged 3 days to 16 years. Dose adjustments were made using a nomogram based on anti-factor Xa levels (units (U)/ml) (target of 0.1–0.3 U/ml). The pharmacokinetic study was performed in 19 patients, 9 less than or equal to 5 kg (7 of whom were less than 3 months) and 10 greater than 5 kg (all more than 3 months). Results: The dose-finding study demonstrated that children over 5 kg required 30 International Units (IU)/ kilogram (kg), subcutaneous (SC) twice daily (BID), and children less than or equal to 5 kg required 50 IU/kg, SC BID, to achieve target levels. The pharmacokinetic study demonstrated that 80% of anti-factor Xa levels were within the target range with both patient groups having similar peak (average=0.26 U/ml) and trough (average=0.13 U/ml) levels. Conclusions: Peak anti-factor Xa levels (0.1–0.3 U/ml) using reviparin–sodium are achieved by administering 50 IU/kg in children greater than 3 months of age and 30 U/kg in children less than 3 months of age. D 2003 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.