[Experimental study of nephrotoxicity: effects, on the newborn rat kidney, of aminoglycoside administration during...

Treatment of the pregnant rat with aminoglycosides provokes nephrotoxicity in the newborn. This study compares the effects of three antibiotics belonging to this group: gentamicin (same day dose administered in one or two injections according to the groups), sisomicin and dibekacin, all administered during the last phase of gestation. Newborns were tested the day after birth, creatinine clearance was measured and then the kidneys were removed for histopathological examination. Functional variations (diuresis, creatinine clearance) and histological alterations of glomerula and tubules were observed. Slight differences suggest that, depending on the antibiotic used, intra-cellular nephrotoxic mechanisms are not completely identical. The modifications which occur after the administration of aminoglycosides, lead us to believe that further studies on the possible fetal nephrotoxic effects of drugs taken by mothers during gestation should be undertaken.