Colistin CF for a 3 years old child?

Question

Three weeks ago we received the diagnosis that our 3,5 years old son is suffering from Cystic Fibrosis. He is very well. Currently, he receives the following medicaments:

In the morning:
Inhalation with nacl 0,9% 1,5 ml and acc inject 1,5ml
Ciprobay 3ml
Cephalexin 10ml
Multibionta
Antioxidant
Kreon

At noon:
Kreon

In the evening:
Inhalation with nacl 0,9% 1,5 ml and acc inject 1,5ml
Ciprobay 3ml
Cephalexin 10ml

Now we have been prescribed Colistin CF (inhalation of 2 amp. per day). The package insert says: "… Therefore, the usage of Colistin CF is unsuitable for children under six years."

Why have we been prescribed this medicament and what does the indication of age means?

Best regards
BB

Answer

Hello,

CF is a disease that can have very different manifestations. The evaluation of the medicaments that your sons is given depends essentially on the symptoms and the laboratory results of your son.

An inhalation with antibiotics – and Colistin is one – does only make sense, generally speaking, if respective germs have been verified. In case of Colistin this would be for example Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The indication of age for numerous medicaments that are used for the CF treatment is frequently a limitation. It can and has to be ignored in some cases after the care team member and the patient having discussed this. To some extent, these age restrictions result from the fact that there are no studies available that consider safety aspects regarding young children. This is always a reason to be careful but it does not exclude the usage of the medicament.

Best regards
Prof. Ballmann

21.04.2008