Children born either prematurely or SGA seem to have smaller and weaker bones. Those born both premature and SGA were the most affected.

A196Eur J Hosp Pharm 2013;20(Suppl 1):A1-A238Results A total of 52 patients (84% women) were prescribed aprepitant during the study period. The average age was 49 years (age range: 19-69 years). The following data were collected: diagnosis and stage of disease, chemotherapy scheme, anti-emesis change cycle number, combination with radiotherapy and alcohol intake. 65% of patients had breast cancer followed by non-small lung cancer (5%). 27% and 25% of cancers were in stages IA and IIA respectively. The most common chemotherapy scheme (55%) for which the change of antiemetic therapy was seen, was FEC 500-100-500. 26% of patients started ondansetron 4 or 8 mg before aprepitant was prescribed. The rest (74%) received aprepitant directly after failing the first line antiemetic therapy. In 40% of patients the antiemetic regimen was changed to the study drug in cycle 2 and in 25% in cycle 3, demonstrating that aprepitant is not used as first-line antiemetic. Only 5 patients received radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy and only in 4 was alcohol intake recorded. Conclusions In our hospital aprepitant is mainly used in chemotherapy regimens that include anthracyclines in combination with cyclophosphamide. It is prescribed after first line antiemetic regimen failure; meeting the indications established by Drug and Therapeutics Committee. However, it would be advisable to cheque the antiemetic guidelines periodically for compliance with reference guides such as NCCN, ASCO, MASCC etc.No conflict of interest.

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BackgroundIntravenous (IV) drug treatment of preterm neonates is affected by: clinical status (i.e. sepsis/infections, immature physiology, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic variation), shortage of ready-to-use formulations, small doses of drug required and the dangers of the IV route.PurposeTo identify the most prescribed IV antibiotics so that ready-to-use formulations can be prepared with standard concentrations (SCs) of drug avoiding handling (reconstitution/dilution) in the ward.Material and methodsThe Hospital Pharmacy, Neonatology and Hygiene Department of “Azienda Ospedali Riuniti-Ancona” conducted this multiphase study. Phase I: a review of IV antibiotics prescribed to preterm (24+0–31+6weeks) Neonatology inpatients from 2004–2013. Phase II: study of pharmaceutical quality and stability of SC (2 mg/ml) gentamicin sulphate (the gold standard in sepsis/infections). Aqueous solutions were prepared by pharmacists in two different ways: with and without filtration. Both batches were stored in polyethylene syringes for 90 days at 2–8°C and 25°C and were examined for: endotoxin absence with the LAL test (Limulus amoebocyte lysate, Endosafe Portable Test System) in accordance with the Italian Pharmacopoeia 12th edition (kinetic-chromogenic technique); sterility test (BacT/ALERT FA, six days of incubation at 36°C) for aerobic bacteria/fungi; quantification with HPLC-MS/MS technique of gentamicin components (C1, C2, C1a) at 0–3–7–14–21–28–60–90 days. Limits of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ) were 0.25 ng. The SC was derived from the usual dose (2.5 mg/kg/12 h) for a 1,000 g patient.ResultsPhase I studies found: 1,011 preterm inpatients (521 males, 420 females), 222 cases of sepsis (52 early, 170 late) and 102 infections. Gentamicin was the most used antibiotic with 1,126 doses for 88 patients per year. Phase II studies certified: sterility (no microbiological growth), absence of endotoxins and stability of GS 2 mg/ml stored 90 days at 2–8°C and 25°C. No significant changes in concentration of gentamicin components: P not significant, t-test >0.05.ConclusionAfter this “pilot study” the next target could be to provide standard concentration unit dose treatments direct from the pharmacy to paediatric patients.References and/or AcknowledgementsNo conflict of interest.