Intravenous antifungal therapy for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in children

For children 2 years or older with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, voriconazole is the preferred antifungal. Consider initial therapy with amphotericin B liposomal in a child 2 years or older if azoles are contraindicated (eg due to drug interactions) or the child developed invasive pulmonary aspergillosis develops while taking an azole for mould prophylaxis – seek expert advice.

For children younger than 2 years with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, amphotericin B liposomal is preferred because the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has not approved use of voriconazole in this age group.

Do not use liposomal amphotericin B for Aspergillus species with amphotericin resistance (eg A. terreus, A. nidulans).

For invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in children younger than 2 years, use:Douglas, 2021

amphotericin B liposomal 3 mg/kg intravenously, daily. See advice on modification and duration of therapy. amphotericin b liposomal

For invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in children 2 years or older, use:Douglas, 2021

1voriconazole intravenously1. Monitor plasma concentration. See advice on modification and duration of therapy voriconazole

child 2 to younger than 12 years: 9 mg/kg, 12-hourly for 2 doses, followed by 8 mg/kg intravenously, 12-hourly

child 12 to younger than 15 years and less than 50 kg: 9 mg/kg, 12-hourly for 2 doses, followed by 8 mg/kg intravenously, 12-hourly

child 12 to younger than 15 years and 50 kg or more: 6 mg/kg, 12-hourly for 2 doses, followed by 4 mg/kg intravenously, 12-hourly

child 15 years or older: 6 mg/kg, 12-hourly for 2 doses, followed by 4 mg/kg intravenously, 12-hourly

OR

2amphotericin B liposomal 3 mg/kg intravenously, daily. See advice on modification and duration of therapy. amphotericin b liposomal

1 Studies have suggested that voriconazole does not distribute extensively into adipose tissue, so dosing in children with obesity should be based on either ideal body weight (IBW) or adjusted body weightDavies-Vorbrodt, 2013Koselke, 2012.Return