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Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Intravenous Injections in Neonatal Mice
Published on: November 11, 2014
[Comparison of two gentamicin dosing schedules in the newborn]
M González Santacruz1, J L Tarazona Fargueta, P Ferrandis Rodríguez
1Servicio de Pediatría, Sección de Neonatología, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Alicante, España. mgonzalezsantacruz@yahoo.es
Introduction:
Gentamicin is widely used in full-term neonates as empirical therapy for early-onset suspected or proven sepsis. Several dosing schedules for gentamicin have been recommended for this neonatal population.
Objective:
To compare gentamicin serum levels, efficacy and toxicity of two dosing schedules in term and preterm newborns.
Material And Methods:
The study included 200 newborns who were started on gentamicin therapy. Group A (N=100) was prescribed a multiple-daily dosing regimen and Group B (N=100) on a once-daily dosing regimen. Newborns in Group A received gentamicin at 2.5-3.5 mg/kg/dose q12-18 h depending on postnatal age and serum creatinine levels, and newborns in Group B received 4-5 mg/kg/dose q24-48 h depending on postconceptional and postnatal age. All peak and trough serum drug levels, demographic data, and markers of potential nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity were compared.
Results:
Peak serum gentamicin levels were significantly higher (8.2+/-0.22 microg/ml vs. 5.9+/-0.13 microg/ml; p
Conclusions:
Once-daily dosing regimen of gentamicin in preterm and term newborns is safe and effective, with a reduced risk of serum drug concentrations falling outside the therapeutic range.
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