Evaluating Safety and Cost-Effectiveness of 24-Hour Continuous Antibiotic Infusion Using Elastomeric Pumps in Children Up to 16 Years with Serious Infections

What this Trial Is About

This research evaluates the use of continuous intravenous antibiotic infusion via elastomeric pumps in children with serious bacterial infections. These infections include bacteremia, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, neutropenic fever, cystic fibrosis-related infections, and foreign body infections. The study aims to assess the safety, cost-effectiveness, and quality of life improvements of 24-hour continuous antibiotic infusions compared to standard treatments. It is conducted at Tampere University Hospital from January 2026 to January 2029. Children eligible for this study will receive antibiotics such as benzylpenicillin, cloxacillin, piperacillintazobactam, or vancomycin administered continuously over 24 hours using CE-marked infusion devices suitable for home use, including elastomeric pumps and CADD-Solis VIP devices. Treatment may begin in the hospital ward or emergency department, and if stable, continue at home. Dosage and treatment duration mirror standard intermittent regimens administered several times per day. Participants will be monitored through hospital visits and home care, with safety assessed via adverse events and emergency or clinic visits up to three months after treatment. Researchers will measure treatment costs, fever duration, inflammation markers, medication use, parental work absence, and distance from home to hospital. Quality of life will be evaluated using the PedsQL14 questionnaire at enrollment, treatment end, and follow-up. The study also tracks intravenous route issues during treatment, lasting up to one month.

Continuous Antibiotic Infusion In Children