Micafungin use in children

Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are one of the major reasons for morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised children. The majority of IFIs are caused by Candida and Aspergillus species. Early diagnosis and prompt initiation of appropriate antifungal therapy is essential for favorable outcome. Micafungin is a member of the echinocandins, a novel class of antifungal agents that target the biosynthesis of β-1,3-D-glucan, a key fungal cell wall component. It has concentration-dependent fungicidal activity against Candida species and fungistatic activity against Aspergillus species. Although optimal dosing of micafungin in children has not been established, the recommended dosage in children is 2 mg/kg/day (100 mg/day if >40 kg bodyweight) for invasive candidiasis, 1 mg/kg/day (50 mg/day if >40 kg bodyweight) for the prophylaxis of Candida infections in patients with anticipated prolonged and severe neutropenia or in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients. Micafungin has a favorable safety and drug-drug interaction profile. The most common adverse effects in children are diarrhea, epistaxis, abdominal pain, headache, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, elevation of alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase values, hypokalemia, thrombocytopenia, mucositis, and rash. Because of its different mechanisms of action, micafungin shows promise as part of the prophylactic and therapeutic management of IFIs, but larger prospective and comparative trials are needed for widespread use in children. © 2011 Expert Reviews Ltd.