Age and size are the major covariates for prediction of levobupivacaine clearance in children.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: We aimed to identify and quantify major factors describing the variability of levobupivacaine clearance in children. METHODS: Data from three published studies were used to estimate population pharmacokinetics of levobupivacaine in children who were given epidural regional blockade. Covariate analysis included weight and postnatal age (PNA). Time-concentration profile analysis was undertaken using nonlinear mixed effects models. A one-compartment linear disposition model with first order input and first order elimination was used to describe the data. RESULTS: There were 86 children (weight 9.4, sd 5.5, range 1.9-23 kg; PNA 16.1, sd 22.7, range 0.6-98 months). The population para..