Anthrax: safe treatment for children

Information regarding the treatment of anthrax infection is scarce in adults and is even more limited in children. Children, however, may be at a greater risk for developing an infection and systemic disease if exposed to anthrax than adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the use of doxycycline or ciprofloxacin for prophylaxis and treatment in children. Doxycycline currently is not indicated for use in children < 8 years old, due to staining of teeth and inhibition of bone growth associated with tetracyclines. Doxycycline, however, may have less adverse effect on teeth than its precursors. Ciprofloxacin has a pediatric indication only when a child is potentially exposed to inhaled anthrax. Ciprofloxacin is contraindicated in pediatric patients because fluoroquinolones were shown to cause cartilage toxicity in immature animals. Although children of various ages have received ciprofloxacin, there are few reports of cartilage toxicity. Because anthrax is a potentially fatal infection, the benefits to using these antibiotics greatly outweigh the risks. Therefore, the use of these antibiotics in children can be recommended, despite the lack of adequate efficacy and safety studies in pediatric patients with anthrax.

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