Netilmicin: efficacy and tolerance in the treatment of systemic infections in neonates

38 newborn infants, 28 males and 10 females, were treated with netilmicin in doses 6-7 mg/kg/day for suspected or verified infections. 19 patients were mature (mean birth weight 3169 g) and 19 were premature (mean birth weight 1864 g). 32 had moderate or severe underlying diseases. 37 babies survived, 33 were cured or improved markedly and in 4 the results were indeterminate. Pathogenic bacteria were demonstrated in 24 cases and were eliminated in 15. Only one baby died. He suffered from severe respiratory distress syndrome and Escherichia coli septicemia. No E. coli was isolated at autopsy. The mean netilmicin peak serum value was 7.7 micrograms/ml (range 1.0-30.0) and the mean trough concentration 2.1 micrograms/ml (range 0.0-9.2). No adverse effects were seen.