title: Once-daily versus multiple-daily gentamicin in infants and children.
abstract: In this prospective randomized trial, the efficacy and safety of once-daily administration of gentamicin were compared with multiple-daily administration in infants and children. In addition, pharmacokinetic variables were calculated. Gentamicin therapy was started at a dose of 5 mg/kg per day under individual dose or dosage interval adjustments to achieve target levels. Fifty-two infants and children aged 1 month (postterm) to 16 years were enrolled. The duration of fever from the start of therapy, the percentage decline of C-reactive protein (CRP) on day 3 of treatment, and the clinical outcome were used as efficacy parameters. Nephrotoxicity was evaluated using creatinine serum levels. Basic characteristics in both groups were comparable. A good clinical response was observed in both groups. Fever may have resolved faster with multiple-daily administration, but this was not statistically significant. The percentage of decline of CRP was also comparable in both groups. Nephrotoxicity occurred in six patients, three per group. Many patients were too ill or too young to perform hearing tests, but no clinical signs of ototoxicity were observed. Mean doses of 6.8 mg/kg per day (multiple-daily administration) and 7.3 mg/kg per day (once-daily administration) were necessary to meet the target gentamicin levels. Triple-daily doses had to be reduced to a twice-daily regimen in 17 of 26 children. Dose and dosage interval adaptations can be performed by Bayesian forecasting using a one-compartment model with one set of K(e) and V(d) parameters. The authors consider both regimens equally effective, with a comparable incidence of nephrotoxicity. A starting dose of 6.5 mg/kg once daily is advised.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmacy, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. E.V.Uijtendaal@APOTH.AZU.NL
authors.forename: E V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Uijtendaal
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Rademaker
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Schobben
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fleer
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: van Vught
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Kimpen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van Dijk
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects; D007769:Lactams; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005839:Gentamicins; D007769:Lactams; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D003404:Creatinine