Abstract
Netilmicin, an ethyl derivative of dehydrogenated gentamycin Cla, is the most recent addition to the aminoglycoside group of antimicrobial agents and is claimed to have less ototoxic and nephrotoxic potential than gentamycin. Twelve very immature preterm infants received therapy with ampicillin and netilmicin for suspected or proven sepsis. The median gestational age was 27 weeks (range 26-32 weeks), and the mean birth weight 1070 grams (range 760-1660 grams). They received 2.5 mg/kg 12 hourly by short intravenous infusion during the first week of life, and 2.5 mg/kg 8 hourly subsequently. Serum pharmacokinetics of netilmicin were determined after the initial dose of netilmicin. Serum trough levels were estimated 2–5 days after the commencement of therapy. The mean serum peak level 60 minutes after infusion was 5.9 mg/L, and the mean trough level was 1.8 mg/L. Elimination half lives correlated inversely with gestational and chronological age. In very immature preterm infants, the mean half lives were 8.4 hours in infants 7 days. The drug was well tolerated and no adverse effects were observed.
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