Abstract
Published guidelines for gentamicin doses based on weight may not be appropriate for low birth weight infants. Utilizing first order pharmacokinetics, a computer assisted program was used based on birth weight and known peak (P) and trough (T) levels when a standard dose of gentamicin of 2.5 mg/kg q 12 hr IM was given. The dose of IM gentamicin and the interval of administration was then calculated by the program. The dose of gentamicin was so accurate that subsequent gentamicin levels were maintained at less than 8mcg/ml (P) and less than 2mcg/ml (T) thereby reducing the chance for renal or oto-toxicity. Sub-theraputic levels of gentamicin did not occur. Our data for IM gentamicin confirm work by Edgren (Pediat. Res 16:A-273, 1982) for IV gentamicin in low birth weight infants.
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