Abstract
Serum gentamlcin assays were performed on 116 paired samples of sera from 99 infants, whose birthweights ranged from 740 g to 4400 g. The gentamicin levels obtained were then studied in relation to the dosage used, the time interval between doses and the birthweight. Peak serum levels obtained were related to the dosage per kilogram, but not to either birthweight or interval between doses. A comparison of trough levels between infants over 2500 g, and under 2500 g, on a 12th hourly regime, showed me smaller infants had statistically significant higher trough levels (p<0.001). In the infants under 2500 g there was a statistically significant difference in trough levels between 12th hourly and daily single dose regimes (p<0.001), showing evidence of retention of drug with a 12th hourly interval. In order to obtain optimal drug levels in the immediate neonatal period, results of this study suggest infants under 2000 g receive a single daily dose of approximately 3 mg/kg whereas those over 2500 g have 2.5–3 mg/kg/dose, given 12th hourly.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
