The Clinical Microsampling Group (CMG) aims to replace traditional, highly invasive blood-taking techniques with an innovative microsampling approach that enables measuring drug concentrations in a drop of blood.
Studies which characterise drug concentrations in children are lacking and, consequently, clinicians do not know which doses should be used in these patients. In part, the lack of pharmacokinetic studies is due to the onerous blood sampling required: frequent sampling (5-8 times) of up to 5mL per sample. However, there are psychological and physiological burdens and risks associated with taking blood from babies, infants and children. Blood sampling is highly concerning to these vulnerable patients and their parents; it is frequently a factor of discussion for research ethics committees when considering whether a research project is acceptable. Recent advances in the sensitivity of the instruments that measure drugs now provide the opportunity to reduce blood sampling volumes.
The research undertaken by the CMG for a new approach to sampling can be applied to strategic PK studies to establish evidence-based, effective drug dosing regimens. For the babies, infants and children treated with our novel dosing regimens, they will have an easier fight and a better chance at getting home, where they belong.
This research is an interdisciplinary collaboration between the staff at Queensland Children's Hospital (QCH) and UQ CRE RESPOND.
Chief Investigators: Dr Tavey Dorofaeff, Paediatric Intensivist, QCH, and Investigators Professor Jeffrey Lipman and Professor Jason Roberts.
The group is very grateful to the NHMRC, the Children’s Hospital Foundation, the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Foundation, and the Ian Potter Foundation who funded our microsampling robotic tool.
For further details see Pharmacokinetics of antimicrobials in critically ill paediatric patients.
