[Determination of aminoglycosides in the newborn infant. Significance and methods]

Monitoring of serum aminoglycosides is useful in neonates to ensure therapeutic efficacy and avoid toxicity. The choice of a method must take in count several informations: sample size, versatility, sensitivity, specificity, precision, rapidity, equipment requirements and reagent cost. Many methods are now available: Microbiological assay, Radioimmunoassay (RIA) techniques, Radioenzymatic assay (REA), "High Pressure" liquid chromatography (HPLC), Fluorescent immunoassay, Enzyme-Multiplied Immunoassay (EMIT) and Fluorescent polarization Immunoassay (FPIA). Microbiological assay is inexpensive but has major disadvantages: lack of specificity, low precision, requires 24 to 48 hours, large sample size. EMIT and FPIA are rapid, sensitive, highly specific and particularly adapted to the pediatric use but reagent are expensive.