Efficacy and Safety of Gentamicin by Interval and Intravenous Dosage Adjustment based on the Gestational Age in Thai Neonates†
Watcharee Tantiprabha MD*, Sujitra Juntarakana MS**, Somporn Chotinaruemol MD*, Noppamas Rojanasthien MD**
Affiliation : † This study was presented at 27th Pharmacological and Therapeutic Society of Thailand Meeting 17-18 March 2005 * Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai ** Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai
Objective : To determine the pharmacological efficacy and safety of the gentamicin regimen that adjusts
intravenous dose and interval based on the gestational age (GA) in Thai neonates.
Materials and Methods : Neonates aged < 7 days, who had received gentamicin for clinically suspected or high
risk of sepsis and had no contraindication to gentamicin usage were enrolled. They were stratified into four
groups by GA as < 29, 30-33, 34-37 and > 38 weeks gestation. Gentamicin administration in each group was
5, 4.5, 4 and 4 mg/kg/dose every 48, 36, 36 and 24 hours respectively according to Neofax(cid:31) regimen. Peak
serum gentamicin concentration (SGC), trough SGC and serum creatinine (Cr) were obtained.
Results : Forty-nine neonates were enrolled. Forty-four (89.7%) had peak SGC within the desirable range (5-
12 mg/L). Three neonates had slightly high peak SGC. Their peak SGCs were 13.0, 12.21 and 12.20 mg/L. Two
neonates had slightly low peak SGC. Their peak SGCs were 4.91 and 4.4 mg/L. All neonates had trough SGC
below 2 mg/L. None had significant rising of serum Cr during the present study period.
Conclusion : This gentamicin regimen yielded good pharmacological efficacy and safety in Thai neonates,
who were in the first week of life and had no renal function impairment.
Keywords : Efficacy, Safety, Gentamicin, Interval and intravenous administration
