Overview and experience with the use of fluoroquinolone in children in the tropics

The use of fluoroquinolone is contraindicated in children because of the potential complication of arthropathy. In spite of this, the role of ciprofloxacin is becoming increasingly significant. We report two cases in which organisms that did not respond to the use of some other potent antibiotics clearly responded to the use of ciprofloxacin. A general overview of the fluoroquinolones is also highlighted. It is concluded that ciprofloxacin is a very useful agent in the management of serious infections in children and available data clearly supports its use where the efficacy outweighs any considerable risk. Fluoroquinolone is therefore recommended in children where it offers a clear therapeutic advantage over other classes of antibiotics but not for routine empirical use. African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology Vol. 7(2) 2006: 132-135