[Comparison of two gentamicin dosing schedules in the newborn]. / Comparación de dos pautas de dosificación de gentamicina en el recién nacido.

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