Bioavailability of oral antibiotics in children with short-bowel syndrome.

Absorption of orally administered antibiotics (two aminopenicillins, cephalexin, trimethoprim-sulfa) was investigated in five children with sizeable resection of small bowel in the neonatal period. The absorption was proportional to the length of the remaining bowel and independent from the resected part of the gut. For cephalexin and trimethoprim a reduction of the absorption of 10% to 50% was observed, still resulting in therapeutic serum concentrations. The absorption of aminopenicillin was reduced approximately 10% of the usually achievable concentrations. Our data suggest that oral cephalexin and trimethoprim-sulfa can be used therapeutically in children with short-bowel syndrome. If aminopenicillin is indicated, parenteral therapy is advisable.