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Am J Perinatol 1984; 1(4): 310-311
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1000028
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1984 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

The Placental Transfer of Ampicillin

David H. Adamkin1 , Ernest Marshall2 , Leonard B. Weiner2
  • 1Departments of Obstetrics and Pediatrics, The University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
  • 2Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Pediatrics, Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse, New York
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Publication Date:
04 March 2008 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Cord blood ampicillin levels were assayed in 23 neonates whose mothers received the antibiotic by the obstetrical service. The levels ranged from 2.9 to 36.2 μg/ml. Nineteen (82.6%) of the 23 had a serum ampicillin level in excess of 5 μg/ml at delivery, which is significantly greater than the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) to inhibit ampicillin-sensitive enterobacteriacae and far exceeds the MIC for Group B beta-hemolytic streptococci. Antenatal ampicillin therapy results in significant levels in the neonate that may obscure cultures obtained after delivery.